China Unveils First Open-Source Humanoid Robot Fourier N1

China's First Open-Source Verified Humanoid Robot Fourier N1

AsianFin - Fourier Robotics has launched China's first open-source, engineering-verified humanoid robot, the Fourier N1, marking a major milestone in China's robotics industry.

Standing at 1.3 meters tall and weighing 38 kg, the N1 features a compact hardware design with 23 degrees of freedom (excluding dexterous hands). It achieves a top speed of 3.5 m/s, peak joint torque of 96N.m, and over two hours of continuous operation with a swappable battery.

During testing, the N1 completed 1,000+ hours of outdoor trials, including navigating 15 to 20° slopes, climbing 20 cm stairs, and recovering from falls—proving its durability and adaptability.

Unlike proprietary models, the N1 is fully open-source, with structural blueprints, assembly guides, hardware specs, and software code available on GitHub and cloud platforms. Developers can replicate or modify the robot at near "zero cost." Fourier also plans to open more algorithm modules in the future.

"We're open-sourcing everything—hardware drawings, assembly tutorials—so the community can build their own humanoid robots without starting from scratch," said Gu Jie, Fourier Robotics' founder and CEO.

While pricing remains undetermined, Fourier Robotics aims to leverage open-source collaboration to refine its commercial ecosystem. The company focuses on in-house core R&D and closed-loop verification to gain market trust.

However, hurdles persist for the mass production of humanoid robotics: high costs (about 700,000 yuan/unit), reliance on imported components, and scarce specialized data. Analysts (GGII) project global sales to hit 12,400 units by 2025, and surpassr five million by 2035.

Fourier Robotics, founded in 2015, mass-produced the GR-1 (100+ units delivered) and unveiled the GR-2 in 2024. It also introduced the Fourier Nexus ecosystem, integrating hardware, algorithms, and data to accelerate innovation.

Despite skipping the humanoid robot half-marathon (rescheduled for April 19 in Beijing), the team prioritizes customer-driven R&D. "We're focusing on next-gen tech and real-world applications," noted Cai Yusheng, Fourier Robotics' R&D head.

Gu likened the industry to a "marathon", saying it takes 3-5 years for a breakthrough. "Progress in robotics is often underestimated long-term but overestimated short-term," he pointed out.

Headquartered in Shanghai's Zhangjiang hub, Fourier Robotics specializes in embodied AI and humanoid robots, with applications in healthcare and education. In 2025, it secured 800 million yuan in round E funding from investors including Guoxin Investment and Prosperity7.

(Note: USD 1equals 7.3 yuan)