Chinese Humanoid Robot Can Run, Somersault, and Fight – And You Can Buy It

Written by Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Published on 27/07/2025 at 10:02

Foto: Reprodução

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Unitree R1 Robot Promises to Revolutionize the Market with Acrobatic Skills and a Price Well Below International Competitors.

The humanoid robot market has received an impressive new entry. Unitree Robotics from China has launched the R1 model, capable of running, doing flips, and even fighting with punches.

The most important thing is that it costs only US$ 5,900, a price significantly below the standard for this type of technology.

In a video released on Friday, the robot can be seen performing maneuvers reminiscent of gymnastic athletes. In addition to flips and handstands, it executes spinning kicks and combinations of punches.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Technical Specifications of the R1 Model

The R1 weighs about 25 kilograms and has 26 joints that ensure quite flexible movements.

In addition, the robot is equipped with multimodal artificial intelligence.

This means it can recognize voice and images, making its interactions closer to those of humans.

The price in yuan is 39,900, which makes the R1 a much lower-cost option than most competitors.

For comparison, other advanced models on the market can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Unitree and the Global Robotics Race

Unitree Robotics has heavily invested in humanoid and quadruped robots. Among its models are robotic arms, boxing robots with gloves and helmets, and other humanoids.

The company was founded in 2016 by Wang Xingxing and has gained visibility since the founder participated in a summit alongside Jack Ma of Alibaba and Pony Ma of Tencent, with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Furthermore, the revelation of the R1 comes at a strategic moment. China is preparing for the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, an event that gathers authorities, entrepreneurs, and investors from the tech sector.

This demonstrates how the country is determined to dominate the robotics and AI market.

Other Models from Unitree and Competition

The G1, another humanoid from the company, costs US$ 16,000 and is already being used in schools and research laboratories. It features flexible motors and can simulate human hands.

Another highlight is the H1, a larger and more advanced robot, sold for over US$ 90,000.

The H1 weighs 45 kilograms and can walk and run on uneven terrain. It also features a 3D LiDAR camera, depth technology, and a high level of maneuverability.

With the R1, Unitree brings a much more affordable option to the market.

The price is surprising because rivals like UBTech Robotics are planning to launch domestic humanoids with estimated prices of US$ 20,000.

In 2024, Morgan Stanley Research calculated that sophisticated humanoid robots could cost up to US$ 200,000.

The Challenge of Bringing Robots into Homes

Therefore, the R1 could become a landmark if it delivers on its promises. The race to create useful and affordable domestic robots is just beginning.

Unitree seems to bet that a model capable of acrobatics and fighting, combined with a competitive price, can attract not only technology enthusiasts but also curious consumers.

However, the debate over its real usefulness continues. After all, not everyone is willing to pay for a robot that does not cook or clean the house.

The expectation now is to see if the R1 truly delivers what the video shows.

Chinese Humanoid Robot Can Run, Somersault, and Fight – And You Can Buy It

Unitree R1 Robot Promises to Revolutionize the Market with Acrobatic Skills and a Price Well Below International Competitors.

Technical Specifications of the R1 Model

Unitree and the Global Robotics Race

Other Models from Unitree and Competition

The Challenge of Bringing Robots into Homes

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Chinese Humanoid Robot Can Run, Somersault, and Fight – And You Can Buy It

Unitree R1 Robot Promises to Revolutionize the Market with Acrobatic Skills and a Price Well Below International Competitors.

Technical Specifications of the R1 Model

Unitree and the Global Robotics Race

Other Models from Unitree and Competition

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A Chinese factory in Guangdong is assembling a humanoid robot every 30 minutes while Tesla, Figure, and Boston Dynamics still struggle to deliver 10 thousand per year.

In Niger, mud buildings have stood for ten generations while the world spends billions on concrete and steel, now African architects are proving at the Venice Biennale and in real projects that red earth can be the smartest and most sustainable building material of the 21st century.

Seven world powers including the US, China, and Russia are spending €22 billion on a reactor in the south of France that aims to confine plasma at 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times the temperature of the Sun’s core, using a magnetic field capable of lifting an entire aircraft carrier.

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