Nori Robotics launches A3 home robot at $1,688

Summary

Nori Robotics, backed by Y Combinator, launched the A3, a wheeled home robot. Priced at $1,688, the device features two gripper arms. Users must train the robot themselves in a desktop simulation environment to perform tasks like loading dishwashers and sorting items. After the first batch sold out, a second batch of 100 units will be shipped this fall.

Why it matters

The A3 is half the price of competitors like Weave's $8,000 Isaac 1 and 1X's $20,000 Neo. This indicates that the home robot market is segmenting into a developer and hobbyist tier. The user-training model and 3D-printable parts offer a philosophy fundamentally different from the 'ready out of the box' approach of major players. This could pave the way for a community-driven skill marketplace. However, it also highlights just how far the category is from true consumer readiness.

Highlights

• A radical cost structure for a dual-arm robot, featuring a $1,688 price tag and 3D-printable, user-modifiable parts
• Users train the A3 in a desktop simulator and can publish skills on a community marketplace
• Each arm lifts only a few kilograms and runs for 8 hours on a single charge; navigation relies on LiDAR and cameras

Critical take

The robot is delivered as an empty base that requires the owner to write code or spend hours in a simulator to perform a single useful task. In this context, the 'cost-effectiveness' argument falls somewhat flat. The real cost is your time, and the $1,688 tag barely covers the engineering work you have to do. Nori is selling a developer platform dressed up as a home appliance. Even the article's own caveats ('maybe not for you') emphasize that the target audience is a hobbyist, not someone looking for a household appliance.