Unitree launches R1 humanoid robot for $5,900

Chinese company Unitree Robotics is launching a new humanoid robot, the Unitree R1, for mass sale, priced at $5,900. The company released a short video on YouTube showing off the capabilities of its new humanoid robot. The device performs acrobatic stunts, including flips, boxing moves, handstands, and running on uneven surfaces. All of this was accompanied by the slogan "Born for Sports."

As NotebookCheck writes, the new robot has already appeared on the official website of Unitree. The R1 model is equipped with 26 movable joints, has a height of 121 cm and a weight of 25 kg. Inside, an 8-core processor with a graphics module is installed. The device is also equipped with four microphones, stereo speakers, as well as support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

The R1 is aimed at consumers and developers, thanks to a multi-modal AI system that supports speech and image recognition. However, the model received mixed reviews on the Reddit forum. Users praised the price of $5,900, but expressed doubts about the practical use of the device, in particular due to the lack of full hands. The question of the reliability of the demonstration video was also raised - part of the community suggested the use of computer graphics or editing.

In fact, the R1 is positioned as an entertainment gadget for events and media, not as a home assistant. It attracts attention, can interact with the user, but is not capable of performing household tasks, such as cleaning or operating household appliances.

According to Bloomberg, the affordability of such devices is of great importance. For comparison, the previous version of the Unitree G1 robot, which is used in research laboratories and schools, costs $16,000, and the flagship H1 is estimated at more than $90,000. At the same time, competitor UBTech Robotics plans to release a household robot for $20,000.

Decreasing prices for sophisticated types of robots could be a key factor in their mass adoption. According to Morgan Stanley, the cost of the most sophisticated humanoid robot in 2024 was about $200,000.