Unitree G1: Affordable Humanoid Robot Brings Advanced Capabilities to Homes and Research
Unitree Unveils G1 Humanoid Robot for Mass Production
Chinese robotics company Unitree has announced plans to bring its G1 humanoid robot to mass production, potentially marking a significant step in making advanced robotics accessible to the public. With a price tag of $16,000, the G1 could become one of the first capable humanoid robots available for home use.
The G1, an upgraded version of Unitree’s H1 prototype, stands at 4.3 feet tall and weighs approximately 77 pounds. Despite its size, the robot can be folded down for easier storage and transport. Powered by an undisclosed 8-core high-performance CPU, the G1 boasts 23 degrees of freedom through powered joints on its arms, legs, and torso.
Unitree’s latest creation demonstrates impressive capabilities, including jumping, walking at speeds over 4.4mph, and navigating stairs covered in construction debris. The robot’s three-fingered hands exhibit dexterity, allowing it to perform tasks such as soldering wires, handling delicate objects, and even flipping food in a frying pan.
The G1’s vision system incorporates a Livox Mid-360 lidar camera and an Intel RealSense D435 depth camera, providing 3D vision capabilities. A 9,000mAh battery pack powers the robot for up to two hours of operation.
While humanoid robots have largely been confined to laboratories, factories, and YouTube demonstrations, Unitree’s move towards mass production could signal a shift in the industry. The company, previously known for its quadruped robots similar to Boston Dynamics’ Spot, has positioned the G1 at a significantly lower price point than its competitors.
For comparison, Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot costs $74,500, while Unitree’s quadruped Go2 starts at $1,600. Tesla’s Optimus Gen 2 robot, according to Elon Musk, will cost “much less than $20,000,” though its release date remains uncertain.
The G1 is designed to learn through imitation using Unitree’s Robot Unified Large Model (UnifoLM). However, potential buyers should note that the robot is not intended to perform complex tasks immediately out of the box. Its initial appeal is likely to be as an affordable humanoid platform for robotics research.
While Unitree has not yet announced a release date for the production-ready G1, its introduction could mark a significant milestone in bringing advanced humanoid robotics to a broader market.
