Launch HN: Nori Robotics (YC S26) – A low-cost humanoid robot for development

Congratulations! That price point is really tempting. I look forward to reading more about this robot.

1. Does this require internet connectivity? If Nori goes out of business, can we keep using these?

2. Is the app distributed as an APK outside of the Play Store? Does it have any hard requirements on GMS that would prevent users of degoogled devices from using it?

3. Is every function available through the app possible to perform or recreate with the open SDK? Is this robot (now, and in the future) going to be accessible to technically competent folks who don't own a smartphone at all?

4. Is there a privacy policy on your website for the robot itself? Is there any telemetry? What kind? Will it be recording me without me asking it to? Is the software that ships on it totally open source?

Cool project! I might be quite interested, depending on how much it respects user freedoms and privacy.

The site is broken can’t see much, but it would be great to know or show list of the components or BOM, as from experience, some companies cheap on certain sensors/motors etc.

Well, hackers, for one.

You know: like the first word in this forum's name.

Where are you guys in SF? Would love to come see it. Mostly interested in seeing the speed of action (what multiple is the video replay at, etc.) and looking at center-of-mass etc. issues. I have a pretty straightforward use-case in a home. The Dreame we have in the living room is pretty good at avoiding most obstacles, but I usually have an LLM-based agent review the image automatically and either send out the vacuum or suggest moving things that would foul it up. Works great. Obviously substituting with a humanoid capable of reaching ground height things and picking up children's toys etc. would be great.

I'd want to bolt it with a mount to the wall when not in use because it needs to be climb-resistant for children during the daytime when I don't need it functional but there is a solid 8 hour 2200->0700 window when no one will be in the living room and speed is not an issue.

I was talking to my wife about this device and actually the wheeled form factor and (probably) no control software for balance is a feature for our use-case because when the Unitree G1 or whatever falls over the result is catastrophic. The balance control software attempts pure insanity and will likely kill a child nearby.