Unitree Robotics has recently unveiled its latest humanoid robot, the G1, with a significantly reduced price tag of $16,000. With a price tag of just $16,000, the G1 is a remarkable 90% cheaper than its predecessor, the H1, which retailed for over $150,000. This drastic price reduction is a bold and eyebrow-raising move by Unitree, making advanced humanoid robots accessible to a much wider audience.
The demo video released by Unitree showcases the G1's extreme dexterity and versatility. It is shown performing a range of tasks, from handling delicate objects to simulating various human jobs, with impressive agility and precision. The timing and presentation style of the video seem strategically aimed at capturing attention in the wake of Boston Dynamics' recent preview of their new all-electric Atlas robot, which has garnered a lot of excitement for its flexibility and advanced capabilities.
The G1 has a number of really cool features, but its most impressive is arguably its "hollow joint" wiring combined with 23 to 43 joint motors, which enables it to perform a wide variety of tasks with unlimited movement. Importantly, the G1's battery life is currently limited to 2hrs.
The G1 is on the smaller side. However, this can be seen as an advantage as it's compact and lightweight design (about 50 inches tall and weighing 103 lbs) makes it easy to handle and transport. It is equipped with both human-like robotic hands and three-fingered grippers, allowing for precise object manipulation through force-controlled dexterous hands.
Unitree says the G1 uses imitation and reinforcement learning, which makes it highly adaptable to various situations. It can run at a speed of 2 meters per second and is seen performing tasks such as opening bottles, and using tools, showing off its potential for practical applications in both households and industries.
Overall, the release of the G1 at such an affordable price point is expected to accelerate the development of humanoid robots in academic labs and put pressure on other humanoid robot companies to improve their pricing strategies. As Unitree Robotics continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible in the field of robotics, the future of humanoid robots in our daily lives looks increasingly promising