China's Unitree debuts $5,900 humanoid robot that flips, fights, and runs

Marketed as "born for sport," the 121-centimeter-tall robot weighs 25 kilograms and is equipped with 26 joints, according to the South China Morning Post.

A promotional video released on July 25 shows the R1 performing handstands, spin-kicks, and mock combat moves, sparking both interest and skepticism online.

The R1 is Unitree’s third and cheapest humanoid model. Its earlier G1 and H1 robots, priced from 99,000 yuan and 650,000 yuan respectively, stand taller and are heavier than the R1.

Compared to rivals, the R1 is among the lowest-priced humanoids on the market. In March, Hong Kong-listed UBTech Robotics released a research-focused robot priced at 299,000 yuan. Shenzhen-based EngineAI’s PM01 model was available for 88,000 yuan as of late March.

The launch adds pressure on U.S. and European companies to reduce costs, tech site Interesting Engineering reported. Tesla’s Optimus robot, still under development, is expected to cost under $20,000 only if mass production reaches one million units per year. Figure AI’s Figure 02 robot, currently being tested at BMW’s plant in South Carolina, is estimated to cost around $50,000.

Despite the buzz over its price, some users questioned the robot’s practicality. "Can it vacuum? Can it run the washing machine? Can it fold clothes? Can it iron? Can it cook?" one person wrote on X, as cited by the New York Post.

Another added: "My daughter does gymnastics all day. I do not need a robot for that."

Others poked fun at its fighting abilities, asking if it could fend off bullies, while some speculated the video may have been digitally enhanced using AI or CGI.

The Hangzhou-based company’s unveiling of the R1 comes shortly after it announced plans to go public, potentially becoming the first humanoid robot manufacturer to list on China’s mainland stock exchange.