Xi'an Jiaotong University technology-transfer company Blue Insect Embodied has introduced its modular Mantis Standard humanoid robot, also known as "Xiaobai," with a starting price of RMB 9,800. The launch was announced on September 14 and positions the machine as more than a traditional humanoid robot. Instead, it functions as an embodied intelligence platform capable of adopting a variety of configurations to support different tasks.
A University-Linked Launch
The product comes from a company established to commercialize research outcomes from Xi'an Jiaotong University, an institution with a strong focus on engineering and applied technology. Blue Insect Embodied unveiled the Mantis Standard as an open platform aimed at developers and researchers working in embodied intelligence. The official announcement stresses that the system can be used immediately after unboxing, reducing the setup burden for users and accelerating project timelines.
Modular Architecture and Quick-Install Design
The robot's chassis, arms, waist, and head are built as standardized modules that connect through quick-install interfaces for mechanical and electrical integration. This approach lets the platform transform into different physical forms rather than being limited to a single humanoid shape. The modular structure also simplifies maintenance, reduces the complexity of hardware modifications, and enables users to adapt the device to specific research or industrial tasks.
Manipulation and Control Performance
The Mantis Standard has 22 degrees of freedom across its body, a single-arm payload capacity of seven kilograms, and an arm span of 663 millimeters. Teleoperation latency is kept below ten milliseconds, which supports responsive remote control for precise tasks and real-time interaction. These characteristics make the robot suitable for both academic experiments and early-stage industrial trials that require dependable manipulation.
Mobility, Reach, and Endurance
Its waist can move vertically through a range of 550 millimeters, allowing the robot to adjust its working height for different tasks and operating environments. The omnidirectional base provides three degrees of freedom, a forward speed of three meters per second, and a lifting speed of 200 millimeters per second for dynamic movement. The robot stands 1.4 meters tall and offers up to three hours of battery life on a single charge, supporting extended testing sessions.
Developer Ecosystem and Support Services
Blue Insect Embodied states that the robot connects to mainstream embodied development ecosystems, which should help users integrate it into existing workflows and software stacks. The company also provides research and training services for embodied intelligence, including accompanying tools, development tutorials, and project-level technical support. This suite of services is intended to lower the expertise barrier for teams entering the field and to shorten development cycles.
Pricing and Market Positioning
With a starting price of RMB 9,800, the Mantis Standard is positioned as an accessible hardware platform in the humanoid robotics space. The company describes the product as an embodied intelligence platform that can take on multiple forms, rather than a fixed-function robot. This pricing strategy may appeal to universities, laboratories, and smaller companies that need a flexible development base without committing to high-cost hardware.
The Mantis Standard highlights how university technology transfer can produce commercial robotics platforms that combine modular hardware with developer-focused support. Its relatively low starting price and open ecosystem approach may encourage more institutions to experiment with humanoid and embodied intelligence applications. As demand for flexible robotic platforms grows, products like this could help bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical deployment in real-world settings.