NAVIAI i3 ("smart guardian" in Chinese) is an all-terrain bipedal humanoid from the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Ningbo. It stands 180 cm, has 37 degrees of freedom and, according to the developer, moves at up to 9 km/h.
Design and technology
The developer's product page lists NAVIAI i3 at 180 cm with a robust build and 37 degrees of freedom. Peak joint torque reaches 360 Nm, giving strong legs and stability on rough ground. It reaches up to 9 km/h and, the company says, keeps its balance even under strong external impacts.
The center emphasizes combining navigation and localization with precise manipulation for long-duration tasks in the field. Weight, runtime and payload are not given.
History and launch
The center previously developed the Navigator series: a first prototype with 39 DoF in March 2024 and a first product with 41 DoF and precision work capability in August 2024. The current NAVIAI range includes the wheeled WA1 and WA2 and the bipedal i3. No launch date for i3 is given.
Applications and deployments
Its name and description point to all-terrain security and patrol work. The company lists industry (including automotive assembly and electronics coating), guided tours and retail as application areas, and in one announcement reported passing 2,000 robots alongside a partnership with sewing-machine maker Jack Technology in garment manufacturing, without saying which models are involved.
Manufacturer
The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center was founded at the end of 2023 in Ningbo's Haishu district with support from the Zhejiang provincial and city governments. It is led by Professor Xiong Rong, whose team has worked on humanoids since 2006, including table-tennis-playing robots in 2008-2011. It publishes some software on GitHub (ZJ-Humanoid) and takes part in drafting Chinese humanoid robot standards.
Price and availability
No price has been published.
Timeline
- 2023-12 Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center founded (end of 2023)
- 2024-03 First prototype, Navigator 1 (39 DoF)
- 2024-08 First product, Navigator 2 (41 DoF)
Sources
- 智御卫士 NAVIAI i3 product page, Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (2026)
- 公司简介 (About), Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (2026)
- Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center home page (news), Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (2026)
Updated: 2026-10-10
Verification and limitations
This entry requires an up-to-date manufacturer specification check.
MERA field measurement report: not published. Demonstration footage and manufacturer specifications are not a MERA test under event conditions.
Data and provenance for AI agents ↗Compared with the catalogue
- It is one of 2 Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center models in the catalogue and one of 128 humanoids from China.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Who makes NAVIAI i3?
The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Ningbo.
How tall is NAVIAI i3?
180 cm, with 37 degrees of freedom.
How fast is NAVIAI i3?
Up to 9 km/h according to the developer.
What is NAVIAI i3 for?
Work on rough terrain, including security and patrol tasks.
How much does the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center NAVAI-I3 cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center NAVAI-I3. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center NAVAI-I3 available to buy?
Status: In development: the manufacturer has shown the robot but is not selling it openly yet.
How do I buy the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center NAVAI-I3 through MERA Robotics?
Click “I want to buy” or fill in the form on this page. MERA Robotics will reply whether and on what terms the model is available and can help deploy it with the MERA OS conversation system.
Data: Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
