Latest news with #UnitreeRobotics
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Beijing robot store stocks Einstein replicas, chess partners, in AI leadership push
BEIJING, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Fancy a robot chess partner to test your moves on? Perhaps a robotic pet dog? Or a life-sized replica of physicist Albert Einstein that could teach you his theories on relativity? Those are some of over 100 robots that will be sold at a new store in Beijing that opens on Friday, showcasing humanoid models from more than 40 Chinese brands such as Ubtech Robotics ( opens new tab and Unitree Robotics. The store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics. "If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough," Wang Yifan, a store director, said on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for consumers. Describing the store as "4S" — offering sales, spare parts, maintenance and survey services, like car dealerships — Wang said the robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278.33) to several million yuan. China's focus on robotics aims to address challenges such as an ageing population and slowing growth. The sector has been bolstered by generous subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups. ($1 = 7.1857 Chinese yuan renminbi)
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Beijing's E-Town offers subsidies to robot buyers as China embraces humanoids
A hi-tech area in Beijing will host a shopping festival for robots, where buyers can receive up to 250,000 yuan (US$34,700) in subsidies when purchasing robots from some of the country's leading manufacturers of the advanced technology. The event, which runs through August 17, will cover products from leading Chinese brands such as Unitree Robotics and UBTech Robotics, according to a Sunday post from the administrative body of Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as E-Town, a state-backed hub for hi-tech manufacturing in southeastern Beijing. The festival marks the launch of a new shop specialising in robot purchases and maintenance, which is scheduled to open on Friday in the E-Town area. Besides Unitree and UBTech, the shop will also feature Tien Kung, a humanoid machine from the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, backed by UBTech and Xiaomi, and SenseRobot Go, a Go-playing robot from artificial intelligence giant SenseTime. Corporate clients who purchase products worth 5 million yuan at the shop would be eligible for a subsidy of 250,000 yuan. Individual buyers at the store can save 1,500 yuan if the order is over 10,000 yuan. Beijing's E-Town is hosting a robot shopping festival until August 17, offering subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan for purchasing robots. Photo: Handout Online shoppers also qualify for discounts. one of China's largest online marketplaces, which is headquartered in E-Town, has launched a dedicated channel for the shopping festival, offering more than 680 robot models from 63 brands including EngineAI, whose PM01 performed the world's first robot frontflip in February , and Limx Dynamics, backed by and Alibaba Group Holding. Alibaba owns the Post.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China's customisable robot market may be about to take off
A store near a bustling shopping centre in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen feels more like a small robotics fair, with all kinds of robots – from humanoid assistants to food delivery bots and massage machines – quietly drawing curious eyes. Amid the excited chatter of children accompanying their parents, company owners, investors and tech enthusiasts busily exchange contact details and discuss collaboration. Some hope to place their own robots in the newly opened 60 square metre (646 sq ft) store; others are looking to make a purchase. China's robotics industry has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now eyeing vast consumer and service markets – a familiar playbook for the country's manufacturers. The Future Era store, which opened in Shenzhen's Longgang district on Monday, bills itself as the world's first '6S' robot store – offering leasing and customisation services in addition to the traditional '4S' retail staples of a showroom, sales, spare parts and customer service. Customers can browse the many models on display and then choose to buy, rent or even build their own by selecting components that suit their needs. The store showcases robots from companies such as Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics, and Shenzhen's Engine AI and Leju Robot, with daily rental prices ranging from around 5,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan (US$695 to US$2,781). Instead of paying robot makers hefty agent fees, it adopts a profit-sharing model, splitting revenues 50-50 with the manufacturers, deputy manager Zhang Shuai said. Customers can receive the robots they order in less than 10 days, he said, even when modifications are required to meet specific needs. 'This is currently one of the most efficient ways to connect robot makers with customers,' Zhang said. 'People can come in, see and interact with the products in person – or just stumble in out of curiosity and discover the latest models on display for potential collaboration.' Amid intensifying tech rivalry with the United States, China's robotics industry has emerged as a key pillar of Beijing's broader strategy to seize an early edge in emerging technologies and position itself at the forefront of the next global wave of innovation. Leveraging its manufacturing scale, rapid iteration cycles and well-developed supply chains, China's robotics industry is rapidly scaling up, poised to tap into a vast domestic market and accelerate real-world adoption. China was home to more than 741,700 robotics-related companies last year, Shenzhen Daily reported, with many of the sector's leading players moving on to mass production. Unitree shipped over 20,000 robot dogs last year, securing nearly 70 per cent of the global consumer-grade legged robot market, according to the Gaogong Industry Research Institute, a market research firm based in Shenzhen. Zhang said Future Era had received orders worth more than 200,000 yuan in its first week of operation. With the robotics industry booming, every part of the value chain holds potential While Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, is a renowned innovation hub, similar stores are in the pipeline across the country – some backed by private investors eyeing the sector's potential, others supported by local governments keen to promote emerging industries. 'It's a real business opportunity,' said Duan Lixiao, who travelled from Hainan province to visit the Future Era store. She has already secured a location in a shopping centre in Haikou, Hainan's provincial capital, hoping to bring the concept back home. 'With the robotics industry booming, every part of the value chain holds potential,' Duan said. Lin Hong, a marketing executive at a robotics company in Guangzhou, Guangdong's provincial capital, said many local governments across the country were planning to assist in the setting up of robotics stores. He said 'more than 10 local governments' had approached the company about placing its robots in stores they planned to launch, citing interest from provinces such as Sichuan, Shanxi and Hebei. Among the agreements signed by Lin's company is one with a store in Beijing that is expected to open this month. Zhang said Future Era received strong support from the district government, with officials helping it connect with robot manufacturers and facilitating collaboration. The store had signed agreements with more than 50 robot makers and component suppliers, he said. 'We're planning to open more than 50 stores like this across the country,' Zhang said. 'People from various provinces have already approached us, expressing interest in becoming franchise partners.' - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Gulf Insider
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
China Robot Giant Unveils Tesla Optimus Killer
Unitree Robotics, China's dominant robot company, is turning heads with the release of its new humanoid that can fist-fight and perform cartwheels – capabilities that represent a direct challenge to Elon Musk's ambitions of establishing Tesla's Optimus as the world's leading humanoid Unitree Robotics R1, weighing 55 pounds and equipped with 26 joints for fluid movement, showcases advanced capabilities like cartwheels, spin-kicks, and a 'kip-up' maneuver, transitioning from a supine position to standing without using its hands, as demonstrated in a recent video released by the company. Unitree Introducing | Unitree R1 Intelligent Companion Price from $5900Join us to develop/customize, ultra-lightweight at approximately 25kg, integrated with a Large Multimodal Model for voice and images, let's accelerate the advent of the agent era!🥰 — Unitree (@UnitreeRobotics) July 25, 2025 The R1's launch directly challenges Elon Musk's vision for Tesla's Optimus, which aims to lead the global humanoid robotics market. Musk has outlined ambitious plans, predicting in January that Tesla could produce 'several thousand' Optimus robots this year for internal factory use, with goals to scale to 50,000–100,000 units in 2026 and achieve a tenfold increase the following year. However, reports from Taiwan's Digitimes suggest Tesla's Optimus faces production delays due to a redesign, with unnamed Chinese supply chain sources indicating ongoing refinements to key components before mass production can resume. The humanoid robotics market could see explosive growth, with projections estimating a $5 trillion industry by 2050, encompassing supply chains, maintenance, and support networks. Morgan Stanely analysts anticipate adoption will surge in the late 2030s, driven by technological advancements and increasing regulatory and societal acceptance. By 2050, over 1 billion humanoids could be in use, with 90% deployed in industrial and commercial roles. Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, an early backer of OpenAI, has predicted a ChatGPT-like breakthrough in robotics within two to three years, envisioning adaptable humanoids capable of tasks like chopping vegetables or washing dishes. Also read: Iran Plans To Abandon GPS & Replace With China's BeiDou System
India Today
29-07-2025
- India Today
This humanoid robot from China can cartwheel, punch, and run, is cheaper than an EV
A Chinese robotics company has caught the world's attention with the launch of a humanoid robot that can run, cartwheel, throw punches, and even perform backflips. The robot, called R1, has been created by Unitree Robotics and is priced at just CNY 39,999 or $5,900, which roughly translates to about Rs 5 lakh. That's less than a budget electric vehicle like a Tata Tiago EV and far cheaper than any other humanoid robot in the same league. With athletic moves and a sleek build, the R1 is being pitched as a 'sporty' robot, capable of pulling off complex stunts like a kip-up, handstand, and martial arts-style kicks. But while its flashy promo video has earned millions of views online, it has also sparked debates about what exactly a humanoid robot should be Unitree R1 stands 121 cm or 4 feet tall, weighs 25 kg, and is powered by 26 joints that allow for a surprising range of motion. In the video released by Unitree, the R1 is seen flipping through the air, sprinting, and mimicking combat moves with impressive balance and coordination. For a robot in this price range, those abilities are quite rare. Most humanoids with comparable mobility cost several times more. Tesla's Optimus robot, still in early development, is expected to be priced under $20,000 (roughly Rs 17.4 lakh) — but only if it's produced at scale. Meanwhile, rival bots like UBTech's Walker S and EngineAI's PM01 are priced significantly higher, making the R1 the most affordable option for a dynamic course, the aforementioned humanoids — apart from Tesla's Optimus — are all China-made, which begs the question: where does this leave India in the race? While the country is still making small moves in a game that's scaling fast, there has been some development. For instance, take Reliance. It has partnered with Addverb, a robotics company, and is building an India-made humanoid for industrial use. ISRO is building a half-humanoid astronaut called Vyommitra. DRDO recently announced work on defence-use humanoid robots. And startups like Vanar Robotics are prototyping service robots out of Indian cities. That said, this is a story for another time — because right now there's a bigger question: what's the point of a robot that can do flips and kicks if it can't handle basic household chores? That's what many people online have been asking. Here's how some netizens reacted to the viral R1 video:One user questioned the robot's abilities with household chores, stating, 'Can it vacuum? Can it run the washing machine? Can it fold clothes? Can it iron? Can it cook? As a security robot, it seems interesting, but honestly, at the moment, it's not what interests me most.'Another user shared the same sentiment, stating, 'Are the hands developed enough to make breakfast, cook, make, mow the lawn?'One user did add a valid point by pointing out folks who are missing the whole point. The user writes, 'A lot of people ask if it can cook and clean. Completely missing the point of a cheap humanoid. At this price, it's A) a toy and B) a research tool; if you want to build out the software for a robot servant, then you need plentiful hardware for testing and development.'Another user posted, 'Very dubious that this represents real-world performance, today. But something like this will be common sooner than most think.'While the R1 may not be folding laundry anytime soon, for $5,900, it's one of the first humanoids that's financially within reach for researchers, hobbyists, and maybe even early adopters looking for more than just company, based in Hangzhou, is also preparing to go public soon and could become the first humanoid robotics firm to be listed on China's stock exchange.- Ends
