Next-Gen Robot from Unitree

The Unitree G1 is a humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics—a company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Officially introduced in 2024 with mass production underway in 2025, the G1 combines agility and precision at a relatively modest price point (~US $16,000) designed for research labs and advanced developers.

Key Features & Capabilities

• Mobility and Motor Control

  The G1 stands approximately 1.32 m tall and weighs around 35 kg (77 lb) with a battery pack. With 23 degrees of freedom across major joints, it can walk at speeds of up to 4.4 mph, climb stairs, squat, and execute agile gestures like cartwheels, punches, and more.

• Dexterous Manipulation

  A three-fingered “Dex3-1” hand and a force-position hybrid control structure allows the robot to perform fine tasks such as soldering wires, flipping items, and grasping objects with accuracy.

• Sensors and Vision

  Equipped with 3D LiDAR (Livox Mid-360), Intel RealSense D435 depth camera, and a microphone array, the robot can perceive its environment in rich detail for navigation and human interaction.

• AI Learning and Models

  G1 uses Unitree’s Robot Unified Large Model (UnifoLM) with imitation and reinforcement learning to acquire new motion skills and behaviors via simulation-to-reality training.

• Portability and Operation

  The robot folds compactly for transport and supports rapid battery changes. It offers 1–2 hours of operation per charge, depending on tasks.

Applications & Early Deployment

Though not yet designed for household deployment, G1 is marketed toward developers, research institutions, and institutions experimenting with robotics in education, entertainment, or manufacturing. Early use cases include remote teleoperation in medical trials (e.g., ultrasound-guided injections, physical exams), where it achieved about a 70 percent success rate in needle procedures done by non-clinicians.

In laboratory settings, researchers have also tested G1’s ability to stand and move across uneven terrain using novel gait-control algorithms such as HO ST (Humanoid Standing-up Transfer), improving robustness and posture diversity.

Broader Context and Industry Significance

Unitree Robotics—founded in 2016 and based in Hangzhou—is already one of the world’s leading producers of quadruped robots like Go1 and Go2. The G1 marks its expansion into human-form robotics at an accessible price point, contrasting with larger, more expensive competitors like Boston Dynamics or Tesla Optimus models.

With a $16,000 starting price (though reseller pricing in other markets can exceed $28,000), G1 is positioned as a research-grade platform rather than a consumer appliance. Unitree’s recent factory expansion in Hangzhou reflects its focus on scaling production in the near future.

Considerations & Limitations

• Still in early access: Functional autonomy remains limited—many demonstrations rely on manual control or predefined sequences.

• Legal and ethical scrutiny: Unitree has faced questions over product vulnerabilities and potential misuse in military contexts, though the company maintains sales are civilian-focused.

• Integration gaps: While G1 shows mechanical finesse, full integration—such as seamless support for non-editor environments or large-scale autonomy—still requires software ecosystem maturity.