(Yicai) April 14 -- Fourier, a leading Chinese general-purpose robotics company, has debuted its first open-source humanoid robot to attract more developers in community-driven application scenarios and build a consumer-end ecosystem for such products.

The N1 targets grassroots innovators, while Fourier's previous GRx series focused on serving business-to-business industrial clients, Cai Yusheng, research and development director of Fourier, told Yicai. "We hope to attract more participants in co-creating an ecosystem by lowering technical barriers."

Standing 1.3 meters tall and weighing 38 kilograms, the N1 differs from its full-sized predecessors with a lightweight aluminum alloy and engineering plastic composite frame, according to Fourier. The android is also capable of over two hours of continuous motion per charge and can achieve a stable running speed of up to 3.5 meters per second.

The initial open-source package contains a complete bill of materials, structural blueprints, assembly guidelines, core control systems, and foundational operating software code, Fourier noted.

Shanghai-based Fourier plans to gradually open source critical modules for whole-body motion control and multi-task coordination while expanding community engagement initiatives, Cai said.

Pricing remains flexible to accommodate potential users' diverse needs for open-source humanoid robots, Cai added. "Some buyers prefer self-assembly kits, while others seek platforms for iterative development, so we'll maintain pricing transparency while refining the N1's developmental granularity."

The granularity of the N1's development refers to the level of detail in dividing and processing tasks, functions, and data.

"Open-source ecosystems offer more advantages than drawbacks for robotics companies," Yuan Shuai, deputy secretary-general of the Z-Park Internet of Things Industrial Alliance, said to Yicai. Accessible hardware designs, software codebases, and datasets that are made open source significantly reduce entry barriers for small and medium enterprises and independent developers in humanoid robot R&D by cutting hardware production and software development costs, he noted.

Editor: Martin Kadiev