Latest news with #Unitree
Mint
12 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Humanoid Robots Still Lack AI Technology, Unitree CEO Says
(Bloomberg) -- Artificial intelligence technology to get humanoid robots into the mainstream remains a key challenge for the sector, according to the founder of one of China's prominent robot developers. The level of expertise could be reached in as little as one to three years, said Wang Xingxing, chief executive officer of Hangzhou Unitree Technology Co Ltd. He likened the environment now to the ChatGPT breakout moment in 2022 when OpenAI's chatbot became an instant hit and made AI a household term. 'It feels like we are at a point of one to three years before chatGPT emerged,' Hangzhou Unitree Technology Co Ltd. CEO Wang Xingxing told the World Robots Conference in Beijing on Saturday. 'The industry knows which direction we should go and it's just that no one has materialized that.' His prediction comes amid a race among Chinese robotics companies to make their products affordable even as real-world applications remain vague, something Wang himself said at the conference. Companies in China have put human-shaped robots for trials at factories to perform tasks like sorting materials and quality checks. A key challenge for large scale deployment at the moment is lack of good AI models for humanoid robots, Wang said. Unitree is tapping growing investor and consumer euphoria around China's prowess in an emergent field without a clear leader yet. Unitree rolled out its R1 bot for 39,900 yuan ($5,900) though it has yet to be put into mass production, Wang said. Shenzhen-based Engine AI also said a robot starting at 38,500 yuan is coming soon. In 2025, Chinese humanoids ran a half-marathon, competed in a kick-boxing tournament and played football. But those events weren't exactly technological triumphs — most of the half-marathon participants stumbled, fumbled or failed to complete the race. Still, they underscored the country's ambitions to catch up with and surpass the US in cutting-edge areas. Unitree's profile soared after its humanoids were featured at this year's nationally televised Spring Festival gala. Earlier this week, it released a video of a mechanical dog scaling slopes, spinning on one leg and navigating rocky terrain — sending Chinese robotics shares to new highs. More stories like this are available on
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Dubai's viral humanoid robot surprises runners at Mallathon
Dubai Mallathon got a futuristic touch as the Unitree humanoid robot surprised runners on Saturday. Videos shared on social media showed the robot at Mirdif City Centre, sprinting along with other fitness enthusiasts who were delighted to have an unusual companion during their morning run. The humanoid robot was joined by a robodog during the run, as runners cheered them on and took selfies with them. The humanoid robot was seen shaking hands and waving at people. Take a look at the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dubai Sports Council (@dubaisc) The Unitree robot has been making headlines lately, meeting Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed and running on the streets of the city.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Video: What do we know about viral humanoid robot that met Sheikh Mohammed?
If ever there was a city in which robots would be found casually crossing a street and walking among humans, it would be Dubai. The city has a global reputation for being at the forefront of innovative technology — and for good reason! Meet the Unitree humanoid robot, the same one that greeted Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recently. In that video, the bot can be seen waving and then running inside the majlis during a live demonstration organised by Dubai Future Foundation. Robots among us Humanoid robots have been around for a while now, but the Unitree G1 robot by Dubai Future Labs has some special characteristics. It is lightweight (this version only weighs 35kg, according to the official website), and is unique in how closely it mimics human movement. Take a look at this video that has been doing the rounds on social media, uploaded by Instagram user Nazish Khan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nazish Khan (@nazish8) The robot can be seen hurrying across a road, much like we might do while trying to make it across in time before the signal changes. The robot stops at the sidewalk and looks around, before running down the platform. While some are skeptical, insisting that the video must be AI, the fact is: robots could soon become part of our every day reality in Dubai. What can it do? Unitree is a company based in China, and according to their website, they aim to "plant the science and technology tree of the world", and to drive progress through technology. The G1 is its latest model, released in 2024. Here are some of the things this humanoid robot can do: 1. Lifelike movements: The G1 can walk, run, jump, and even squat smoothly, like a human. It is the also the world's first humanoid robot that can do a side flip. The official website says it can run at a speed of up to 2 m/s. It has up to 43 pieces/joints and is more flexible than human beings. 2. Precise tasks: The robot's hands consist of three 'fingers' each, with which it can grip objects. A video on the main website shows that the G1 can even crack nuts and flip a slice of bread on a pan with its hands. It can also do intricate detail-oriented tasks such as soldering. 3. Perceive surroundings: As seen in the videos, the G1 has cameras to 'see' its environment. It is equipped with 360° cameras that also have the ability to perceive depth. The robot can sense objects around it with LIDAR, which is a laser-based remote sensing method. 4. Learn and adapt: The G1 works on UnifoLM (Unitree Robot Unified Large Model). It can improve its skills and movements through imitation and reinforcement learning. 5. Interact with humans: As seen in the video with Sheikh Mohammed, the G1 can wave and participate in social interactions. It has a microphone and speaker, allowing it to respond to voice commands. Unitree robots have been featured in the 2021 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, the 2023 Super Bowl pre-game show, the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the Asian Para Games. The androids can also be seen performing with dancers at the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala in the video below. Where to see G1 in action It seems that if residents keep their eyes peeled, there is a chance they may catch the robot crossing the road in front of their cars on their way to work! However, according to WAM, residents and tourists can definitely soon interact with the G1 that greeted Sheikh Mohammed in the Museum of the Future, where it will be featured in interactive displays, welcoming visitors and showcasing advanced technology. Future with humanoid robots The future seems rife with possibilities, with the G1 and humanoid robots like it becoming more dextrous and adaptable. AI is already in use across various industries. The increase in precision means that it is possible that we could have robots performing surgeries or collecting blood in medical centres. They could even be used in search and rescue missions where the infrastructure cannot be breached by humans. Only time will tell how many real-world scenarios we will see these robots in — but it looks like whenever that future comes, Dubai will be more than ready for it.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
$5,900 Unitree R1 robot is surprisingly affordable
Unitree just dropped its latest creation, the R1 humanoid robot, and people are talking. At only $5,900, it's the most affordable bipedal robot we've seen so far. The low price has taken the tech world by surprise and kicked off a wave of excitement. It's a big step toward making humanoid robots more affordable for people. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my In Unitree's promo videos, the R1 shows off by running, spinning, shadowboxing, doing handstands, and even nailing cartwheels. People are starting to realize just how far these humanoid robots have come in terms of coordination and agility. What's especially wild is that it's not priced exclusively for big research labs; regular consumers might actually be able to get their hands on one. The robot can pull off impressive moves thanks to 26 joint degrees of freedom, giving it flexibility similar to a gymnast. It uses onboard sensors, like binocular and wide-angle cameras, microphones, and speakers to understand and navigate its surroundings. An 8-core CPU and GPU power tasks such as voice and image recognition. Its battery lasts about one hour per charge, which is solid for a robot this size. Speaking of size, the R1 weighs around 55 pounds and stands about 4 feet tall. That makes it compact enough to fit easily into classrooms or labs. The standard model comes with fixed open fists, so it can't actually grip objects. However, an advanced EDU version offers movable fingers and lets each arm carry up to 6.6 pounds. Unitree's older models include the G1 at sixteen thousand dollars and the H1 at over ninety thousand. In comparison, the R1 feels like a total game changer. Its lower price gives researchers, small developers, and educators a new opportunity to explore humanoid robotics. Of course, some people are a little skeptical. A few have raised questions about whether the promo footage uses CGI or overly scripted setups. And let's be honest, anyone who's seen robots go off-script knows how unpredictable things can get. That's why solid software and strong safety systems are still so important, especially at this price point. Administrators and researchers around the world are closely watching Unitree's move. China's strength in manufacturing and low-cost hardware gives it a clear advantage, especially as it goes head-to-head with U.S. players like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics. Everyone's racing to make humanoids affordable and practical. Some researchers are already working the R1 into academic projects. Researchers expect machine learning systems and training tools from older models to work with the R1 as well. And in the medical world, some trials are exploring how humanoid robots can assist in remote care, though they still need improvements in strength and sensitivity. If you've ever dreamed of working with a humanoid robot but thought it was out of reach, the R1 changes that. At $5,900, it's affordable enough for educators, researchers, and developers on a budget. It can walk, spin, and even cartwheel, giving you a real platform to test AI and robotics projects. The standard version doesn't grip, but the EDU model adds movable fingers and more power. With its compact size and one-hour battery life, the R1 fits easily into classrooms, labs, or maker spaces. It's not perfect, but it's a big step toward making humanoid robotics truly accessible. The Unitree R1 is catching attention for all the right reasons. It's fast, flexible, and surprisingly affordable, just $5,900 for a bipedal humanoid that can run, cartwheel, and react to its surroundings. That's huge for schools, researchers, and developers who've never had access to this kind of tech at this kind of price. But while it looks impressive on video, some folks are wondering how it performs in real life. Is it a reliable research tool or just a flashy demo machine? One thing's clear: the R1 could mark a turning point in the push to bring humanoid robots into everyday life. Could robots like this really end up in classrooms, clinics, or even homes someday? If humanoid robots become affordable, how comfortable would you be sharing your space with one? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Chinese Robot Stocks Climb After Unitree Teases a Mechanical Dog
Chinese robotics shares charted new highs after up-and-coming startup Unitree released a video of a mechanical dog scaling slopes, spinning on one leg and navigating rocky terrain. The Solactive China Humanoid Robotics Index, which includes companies engaged in the manufacturing and development of robots, rose as much as 5% Wednesday. Zhejiang Changsheng Sliding Bearings Co. 's shares jumped as much as 16% while Ningbo Zhongda Leader Intelligent Transmission Co. stock rose by its 10% daily limit.
