Short version: StarBot Spark is a 3-foot humanoid robot from $7,999, or $5,999 for the first 100 confirmed orders. That's far below the $13,500 The Gadgeteer lists for a Unitree G1. But if you want to develop on it, the things you most need to know aren't published yet: the onboard computer, the cameras and sensors, the software kit, and a ship date.
This isn't a hands-on test. I haven't touched a Spark, and every number below comes from StarBot, its press release or The Gadgeteer.
▶ Full video: https://youtu.be/I1dWw6LR-LI
What StarBot says Spark is
StarBot Robotics is based in Santa Barbara, California. It announced Spark on November 4, 2026.
- Height: about 3 ft (90 cm)
- Weight: about 35 lb (16 kg)
- Joints: 22 degrees of freedom
- Battery: 24 V, up to 3 hours of runtime, about 40 minutes to charge
- Software: over-the-air updates, described as an "open development platform"
- Made in: the United States, according to StarBot
StarBot calls it North America's first US-made developer humanoid in its size and price class. That's the company's own claim.
The price, compared
| Robot | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| StarBot Spark (first 100) | $5,999 | Introductory price |
| StarBot Spark | $7,999 | 3 ft, 22 DoF |
| StarBot Astra | $9,999 | 5 ft, 23 DoF |
| Unitree G1 | $13,500 | As listed by The Gadgeteer |
The $200 reservation deposit counts toward the price. Tax, shipping, delivery and final configuration are confirmed later. Schools, universities and research programs can ask for custom pricing.
What a developer still can't find out
A developer robot is only as good as what you can program on it. As of this writing, these are the open questions:
- Onboard computer: not specified.
- Cameras and sensors: not specified.
- The SDK: it isn't documented in the sources I read. You can't yet tell which languages, APIs or level of joint access you'd get.
- Simulation: StarBot's site lists NVIDIA Isaac simulation but doesn't say how it works on Spark.
- Warranty and safety certifications: no word yet.
- Ship date: none. StarBot's terms say launch timing isn't guaranteed.
There's also a documentation warning sign. The Gadgeteer found that the detailed spec sheet on StarBot's site describes Nova, the company's restaurant robot, and not Spark. The dates are inconsistent too: one page lists October 18 and another says Spark was released in September.
Where StarBot came from
StarBot's earlier robot, Nova, takes restaurant orders by voice, takes card payments and sings. StarBot says it has served more than 20,000 people, at $4,999 plus a $499 monthly subscription.
The company bought a Unitree G1 as a research platform in early 2025 and later built its own humanoids for buyers the G1 prices out. So it has shipped a service robot, but that isn't the same as shipping a programmable platform with a supported SDK.
What I'd ask before putting down $200
If you're considering a reservation for a lab or a classroom, I'd get answers to these in writing:
- Which SDK and languages are supported, and is low-level joint control exposed?
- What compute and sensors ship in the final configuration?
- Can I run my code in simulation before the robot arrives?
- What's the refund policy if delivery slips?
- What warranty, repair and safety certification apply?
Verdict
The Gadgeteer's take is fair: the G1 is the safer bet with a known schedule, and Spark is the cheaper option for buyers who can wait. If StarBot delivers, a sub-$8,000 humanoid starts to fit a school budget and not just a research lab. Until the SDK and compute details are public, though, I'd treat "developer platform" as a promise and not a spec.
What's the first thing you'd program on a $7,999 humanoid?
Sources
- StarBot press release (GlobeNewswire, Nov 4, 2026): https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/04/3395568/0/en/made-in-america-and-priced-at-7-999-starbot-launches-spark-humanoid-robot.html
- The Gadgeteer: https://the-gadgeteer.com/2026/11/07/starbot-spark-is-a-three-foot-humanoid-robot-built-in-the-us-for-7999/
- StarBot: https://www.starbotusa.com
- Full video: https://youtu.be/I1dWw6LR-LI
AI-assisted disclosure: I used an AI assistant to help structure this write-up. This is a research summary of published sources as of November 2026, not a hands-on review. Not sponsored by StarBot or Unitree.
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