$2,999 Humanoid Robot Brings AI to Every Developer

For years, humanoid robots have been locked behind price tags that only big universities and tech giants could afford. Rotaku, a San Francisco Bay Area startup, just changed that with Domo, a fully functional humanoid robot starting at $2,999.

Founder Takuzen Lu built his team around one belief: teaching robots shouldn't require a research grant. His computer science background from the University of Wisconsin and years living in Japan convinced him that robotics could be more approachable, more human.

Domo learns the way people do. Show it how to pick up an object or navigate a room, and it remembers. The robot uses whole-body policy learning, an AI technique that learns through demonstration instead of line-by-line code. You don't need to be a programmer to teach it new tricks.

Everything runs without cables. The aluminum chassis packs in sensors, computing power, and a battery that lasts two hours and recharges in 30 minutes. Developers can swap batteries mid-project so work never stops. The robot connects over Wi-Fi and accepts commands through gestures, voice, or even VR controllers for two-arm tasks.

Two sizes fit different needs. The compact version stands 90 cm tall and weighs 20 kg, perfect for desks and small labs. The larger Domo Plus reaches 130 cm and 35 kg with more power for complex movements, priced at $9,899 but still thousands less than competitors.

The Ripple Effect

This pricing shift could democratize an entire field. Smaller robotics teams, educators, and independent developers who couldn't justify $13,500 for a Unitree G1 can now experiment with real humanoid hardware. When more people can afford to innovate, breakthroughs come faster.

Rotaku has already secured early funding and is preparing production batches for first customers. The company is manufacturing through an international supply chain, selecting partners based on quality and capability. Lu and his team are now talking with developers to refine the next rollout stage.

Reservations are open now, and the future of accessible robotics is learning to walk.