StarBot launches a 90 cm humanoid for families and schools at $7,999
A US company announced Spark, a small humanoid with 22 degrees of freedom aimed at learning and play. Prices like this show how fast small humanoids are getting cheaper, but the claims come from the company's own press release.
On 4 November 2026 StarBot Robotics announced Spark, a humanoid robot about 90 centimetres tall with 22 degrees of freedom. The company says it is intended for child companionship, youth robotics education and developers, and it costs $7,999.
What "22 degrees of freedom" means
A degree of freedom is one independent way a joint can move. More joints give more movement, but also more motors, more cost and more things that can break. For a refresher, see servo motors.
Why it matters
A few years ago, a humanoid for a school lab would have cost many times more. Companies such as Unitree have pushed prices down, and others are following.
A fair warning
This is information from a company press release. We have not tested the robot, and features like "open development platform" mean different things for different products. Before buying any robot for a classroom, ask for the software documentation, a safety review, and independent reviews. A $100 Arduino robot can teach the same basics for much less.
Source: StarBot Robotics press release via GlobeNewswire (4 November 2026).
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