Latest news with #humanoid
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
You Can Buy This Cartwheeling Humanoid Robot for Less Than Two Apple Vision Pros
'Dance for me, robot,' you scream at your mechanical servant from your gilded throne. 'Now flip for me, robot. Fight for me, robot.' That's the future that China-based robotics maker Unitree is offering with surprisingly dexterous bots like the new R1 model. It is nearly as tall as a human, has decals and a mask that remind me of a scaled-up Power Rangers action figure, and is built with AI voice recognition and the ability to do flips. Even with all that, the real surprise is the cost. The Unitree R1 is only $5,900. If that still seems expensive, know that it's actually less than the cost of two $3,500 Apple Vision Pros. The R1 is built with both image and voice recognition AI, according to Unitree. Beyond that, the model is built with a 'movement-first design' for 'dynamic, lifelike mobility.' You can witness the robot's dexterity in a video posted by the company on Friday. The machine can do handstands and cartwheels, punch at the air, and sprint over level ground. It's enough to make me envious of the machine's athleticism, although it doesn't seem to come with any fine finger dexterity, so at least the robots won't be taking my number one spot as king of the high-fives. We've seen other Unitree humanoid and dog-shaped robots in the field, though only in carefully contained demos controlled by an engineer sitting somewhere off to the side. The R1 costs nearly half of the company's previous consumer-end human-shaped bot, the G1. The new design is also far lighter than the previous model, clocking in at 25 kilograms, or 55 pounds, compared to the G1's 77 pounds. If you're looking for specifics, Unitree told us the robot has 26 total joints, with six in each leg, two in the waist, five in each arm, and two in the head. Despite that, the R1 isn't built to become your robo butler. The device is still mostly there for prototyping and testing. That certainly won't stop people from forming their own robot boxing leagues to try and reenact the 2011 movie Real Steel starring Hugh Jackman. Untiree already hosted a fisticuffs tournament with its G1 models earlier this year. Perhaps we won't have to wait long for a bot with a screw loose after taking a shiner to the silicon. There's no R1 listing on the company's store page just yet, so maybe you should cool your jets before dropping close to $6,000 on a new robot. More than pushing a future where the robots fight off the inevitable return of Rita Repulsa, it establishes how far ahead Unitree is compared to the U.S.-based competition. Elon Musk's Tesla is still working to pump out a consumer-end humanoid robot called Optimus. Tesla has tried to promote its bot as a real-life Rosey from the Jetsons. They've had the bot pouring drinks and cleaning dishware, though at a very slow pace and with a human controller standing off-screen. Tesla claimed it plans to produce 5,000 Optimus bots by the end of 2025, but that's looking less likely every day. A new report from The Information states that more than halfway into the year, Tesla has only created a few hundred bots after reportedly halting production in mid-June. Musk recently claimed Tesla will have Optimus gen 3 prototypes available by the end of the year, and then it will scale production. Even if it follows through—which seems less likely considering ongoing staffing and resource issues cited by Fast Company—the robot will likely be nowhere near as cheap as Unitree's bot and its cartwheeling, karate-chop action.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Unitree Robots Break Into Entertainment, Sports and Industry--Company Enters New Phase of Robotics Integration
HANGZHOU, China, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitree Robotics has always been dedicated to creating fun, friendly, and engaging robots for the public, aiming to bring joy and companionship through robotics technology. From a cowboy walking the streets of Austin, Texas, to viral livestreamed boxing tournaments online, Unitree Robotics is pushing the boundaries of robotics in modern life. As a pioneer in civilian robotics, the company is capturing global attention by combining technological precision with cultural relevance—and deploying its creations across entertainment, industry and everyday life. Humanoid robots developed by Unitree have organically become social media sensations, with fans celebrating their diverse outfits, makeup and personalities. Whether striking a pose or dancing in sync, these expressive robots are blurring the lines between human and humanoid in consumer and entertainment spaces. One recent breakout cultural moment highlights this shift. Jake the Rizzbot, a G1 Unitree robot operated by a user, went viral in news stories and on social media, stunning crowds on the streets of Austin with his smooth moves and Gen Z slang—showcasing Unitree robots' capabilities for lifelike interaction. In the world of sports and entertainment, Unitree robots are also stepping into the ring—literally. The company's robot boxing matches showcase the stability and high-performance motion control of humanoid robots in extreme environments. On the industrial front, Unitree's quadruped robotic dogs are already making an impact. With deployments in firefighting, seedling monitoring in agriculture, power inspection, and hazardous terrain navigation, they are proving indispensable in environments where human safety is at risk. From cultural expression to life-saving industrial use cases, Unitree believes that robots can enrich every facet of modern life. The company is leading the charge toward a more interactive, inclusive, and integrated robotic future with robots that entertain, connect, and protect. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Unitree Robotics
Digital Trends
23-07-2025
- Science
- Digital Trends
Self-charging robots pave way for never-ending revolt
If you've always been one to scoff at the idea of a robot uprising, then this story out of China might give you pause for thought. It's about what is apparently the first-ever humanoid robot that's able to change its own battery pack. Yes, you read that right — a humanoid robot that's able to realize when it's running low on juice, and then go through the process of swapping out its battery for a fully charged one. All by itself … without any human intervention. The robot, called Walker S2, is built by Shenzhen-based Ubtech, so we know who to blame if those bots do ever take over. Ubtech released a video (top) showing Walker S2 autonomously swapping out its battery, a process that will enable it to get back to work, whether that involves subjugating humans or hopefully something a little less alarming, like explaining meal times to newly arrived hotel guests. Walker S2, which has been in development since 2015, is 64 inches tall (162 cm), tips the scales at 94.8 pounds (64 kg), and runs on a 48-volt lithium battery. Each fully charged battery gives the robot enough power to walk for two hours or stand for four hours. When it puts a flat battery into the charger, it takes about 90 minutes for it to fully charge. Currently, Ubtech's humanoid robot is still in the research and development stage, though it's also being tested in a range of commercial and industrial settings, as well as in education for teaching about robotics and AI. The company's aim is to use its humanoid robot to enhance human capabilities and improve people's quality of life, particularly in areas like healthcare, education, and service industries, smoothly integrating it into human environments. The technology powering humanoid robots has been making rapid advancements in the last few years, with major developments in AI helping to make them smarter than ever. Tech companies in China, the U.S., and beyond are in a race to produce the most sophisticated robots that not only move in a human-like way, but think like a human, too, and clear progress is being made in terms of both physical movement and decision-making abilities. But a full-on takeover? Well, any chance of that still feels like a ways off.
News.com.au
23-07-2025
- News.com.au
China makes history by creating world's first 24/7 worker
The world's first 24/7 worker has arrived – and it takes no breaks, needs no pay rises or a wink of sleep. UBTech, one of China's leading humanoid robotics companies, has unveiled a world-first innovation with its Walker S2 – a tall, human-like robot that has just demonstrated the ability to swap its own battery in under three minutes. The robot stands at 162cm tall and weighs 43 kilograms – making it roughly the size of a small adult. Local Chinese media revealed that not only can it change its own battery but it is also capable of detecting how much power it has left and then deciding whether it's best to swap out its batteries based on the priorities of its tasks. In promotional footage posted online, the Walker S2 can be seen walking itself to a battery station, reaching behind its body and removing its previous battery, before installing a fresh one. The clip, which has amassed close to 100,000 views, left people divided. 'I can see my job flashing before my eyes,' wrote one viewer. 'We are so done,' wrote another. 'Scary. You never know when a robot might take your position and make you unemployed,' wrote a third. The white and black robot has a featureless, dark face panel and walks upright like a human – resembling something out of a sci-fi horror movie. However creepy, the display marks a massive milestone for the tech world and is the first step towards machines that could work around the clock without human intervention. The robot is designed to be deployed in settings like factories or as a human-like machine to greet customers in public venues. For now, the Walker S2 remains a showcase of what's possible. But in a future of offices, warehouses and factories filled with machines that never call in sick and don't have to be paid – it's not hard to imagine where they could take us.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Robots go head-to-head and show off their martial arts 'skills' with some questionable punches and kicks
Two humanoid robots have battled in a martial arts showdown in China, although the spectacle left a lot to be desired. The competitors wore jerseys and headgear and launched punches and kicks in the direction of their opponent. Watch the video above to see the 'battle' in Hangzhou, Zhejiang and the moment that made the crowd giggle.
