TECH

Analysis: Meeting With Xi Thrusts Dancing Robot-Maker Unitree Into the Limelight

Published: Feb. 21, 2025 9:26 p.m. GMT+8

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A Unitree-posted video shows a humanoid robot doing a jig. Photo: Unitree

Hangzhou-based startup Unitree Robotics has been thrust into the public eye this year after showcasing its humanoid robots dancing a jig at the Spring Festival Gala, much to the delight of the show’s more than 1 billion viewers. Founder and CEO Wang Xingxing was subsequently invited to deliver a speech at a symposium with private business leaders chaired by President Xi Jinping.

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Unitree Robotics gained significant attention after its humanoid robots performed at the Spring Festival Gala and CEO Wang Xingxing attended a symposium with President Xi Jinping.
Tesla’s strong technological base in autonomous driving gives it an advantage in humanoid robot development, with its Optimus robot showcasing versatile human interaction capabilities.
Unitree's new H1 humanoid robot benefits from their quadruped expertise, leading the market with cost-effective in-house components and anticipating broader adoption by 2026 as AI progresses.

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Who’s Who

Unitree Robotics: Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based startup, gained fame showcasing humanoid robots at the Spring Festival Gala. Initially focused on quadruped robots, it transitioned to humanoid robots spurred by advancements in AI. In August 2023, it launched the H1 humanoid, leveraging its motion control expertise. The G1 robot, launched in May 2024, starts at 99,000 yuan, highlighting Unitree's competitive pricing due to in-house component development. CEO Wang expects widespread humanoid robot use by 2026.

Tesla Inc.: Tesla Inc., led by Elon Musk, is developing a humanoid robot called Optimus, which utilizes its Full Self-Driving system and Autopilot software. Initially announced in August 2021, the first prototype was revealed the following year. Optimus demonstrated human interaction capabilities, such as walking, picking up items, and responding to gestures. Tesla's expertise in autonomous driving technology provides it with an advantage in the humanoid robot sector.

OpenAI: OpenAI led a boom in large language model (LLM) technology in late 2022, significantly contributing to advancements in artificial intelligence. This surge in AI developments inspired Unitree Robotics' CEO, Wang Xingxing, to explore humanoid robots. OpenAI's progress in AI technology has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of embodied AI, impacting firms like Unitree that integrate AI into physical entities.

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What Happened When

August 2021：: Tesla announced the plan to develop humanoid robot Optimus.

2022：: Tesla unveiled the first prototype of the Optimus humanoid robot.

October 2022：: Tesla shared a video showcasing the Optimus humanoid robot's abilities in human interaction.

Late 2022：: OpenAI led a boom in large language model (LLM) technology influencing Wang's interest in humanoid robots.

2023：: Wang decided to venture into humanoid robots influenced by AI advancements.

August 2023：: Unitree launched its first humanoid robot, the H1.

February 2024：: Wang revealed in an interview with Caixin that he initially did not feel bullish about the future of humanoid robots when he set up Unitree in 2016.