Elon Musk praises China’s Unitree dancing humanoid robot as ‘impressive’

By Bao Lam   December 22, 2025 | 10:37 pm PT
Elon Musk has praised the Unitree G1, a Chinese humanoid robot seen as a rival to Tesla's Optimus, after it performed as backup dancers at a live concert in China.

On Dec. 20, Musk shared a video posted by software engineer Rohan Paul on X, showcasing six Unitree G1 robots performing at a concert by Taiwanese American pop star Wang Leehom with a caption saying: "Impressive."

Paul noted in his original video that robots in China are "doing it all now, even dancing on stage like pros," adding that the robots also executed front flips.

Dressed in shimmering silver tops and black leather pants, the G1 robots synchronized their choreography with Wang and his human dancers for the song "Open Fire." The robots performed a sequence of moves, including arm swings, leg kicks, pivots, and finished with a front flip, captivating the audience, the South China Morning Post reported.

China's Unitree humanoid robots G1 dance at a live concert. Video courtesy of Rohan Paul's X

The G1's performance drew admiration from industry experts, many of whom noted that the flips highlighted advancements in dynamic balance and power systems, as reported by Technode. The robot is equipped with a 3D LiDAR sensor system and multi-agent coordination algorithms, enabling millisecond-level response times and joint flexibility comparable to that of human dancers.

Launched in May 2024, the G1 stands 1.3 meters tall and weighs 35 kilograms. Powered by 23 to 43 joint motors, it exhibits agile movement. The humanoid robot has impressed with its abilities in martial arts, acrobatics, sports, and street walking.

Founded in 2016, Unitree Robotics develops both quadruped and humanoid robots for use in logistics, surveillance, scientific research, and entertainment. It has quickly commercialized its products at various price points. Earlier this month, it launched the "world’s first humanoid app store," a platform where users can upload their robotic actions and datasets and download motions and data from others.

According to CNBC, the Hangzhou-based Unitree is seen as a competitor to Tesla Optimus.

Tesla has also made strides with its humanoid robot, showcasing its progress at the 2024 World Robot Conference in Beijing. In a recent showcase, the robot was filmed running with smooth, human-like motion.

 
 
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