China’s Unitree G1 becomes world's first humanoid robot to perform kip-up

Name: China’s Unitree G1 becomes world's first humanoid robot to perform kip-up
Uploaded: 2025-03-24T16:30:31+07:00
Duration: 54 s
Description: The Unitree G1, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese tech firm Unitree Robotics, has become the world’s first to perform a kip-up, while also displaying Tai Chi techniques and maintaining balance when kicked from behind.

By Hoai Anh, Phong Ngo March 24, 2025 | 01:30 am PT

The Unitree G1, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese tech firm Unitree Robotics, has become the world’s first to perform a kip-up, while also displaying Tai Chi techniques and maintaining balance when kicked from behind.

Robot hình người đầu tiên có thể 'bật tôm' — The Unitree G1 robot executes a kip-up, showcases Tai Chi-inspired martial arts movements, and recovers its balance after being kicked. Video courtesy of Unitree Robotics

In a 54-second video released on March 21, the G1 is seen flipping up from its back to its feet, mimicking a human’s kip-up with impressive strength, coordination, and balance.

The video also showcases the robot performing Tai Chi movements in sync with a human partner, and swiftly regaining its balance after being kicked from behind — simulating human-like reflexes.

Unitree emphasized that the footage was recorded in real time, at normal speed, without any AI-generated enhancements.

Just days before, the G1 also gained attention for becoming the first humanoid robot to successfully complete a side flip — a feat even more difficult than the backflip achieved by Unitree’s earlier H1 model earlier this month.

The H1 had previously gained national attention after performing a traditional folk dance during China’s Lunar New Year Gala, the country’s most-watched television event, broadcast by state-run CCTV, according to the South China Morning Post.

G1 is an upgraded version of the H1, standing 1.3 meters tall and weighing 35 kilograms, smaller and lighter than the 1.8-meter, 47-kilogram H1. It is designed to operate in environments that are difficult for humans to access, with greater agility and flexibility.