Unitree Robotics

Hangzhou Yushu Technology Co., Ltd.
Unitree Robotics
Native name
杭州宇树科技有限公司
Hángzhōu yǔ shù kējì yǒuxiàn gōngsī
Company typePrivate
Industry
FoundedMay 2016; 8 years ago (2016-05)
FounderWang Xingxing
Headquarters
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
,
China
Key people
Wang Xingxing (CEO)
Websiteunitree.com

Hangzhou Yushu Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 杭州宇树科技有限公司; pinyin: Hángzhōu yǔ shù kējì yǒuxiàn gōngsī), trading as Unitree Robotics, is a Chinese robotics company based in Hangzhou, China. It specializes in quadruped robots aimed on individual consumers. The company was founded by Wang Xingxing in May 2016.[1]

History

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In 2013, Wang Xingxing developed quadrupeds during his postgraduate studies at Shanghai University. His first quadruped device, XDog, was developed in 2016 for his master's thesis. The robotic dog became an Internet sensation which attracted buyers and investors. After Wang started to work at the Chinese company DJI, he decided to resign and start his own company, Unitree.[1]

In 2021, Unitree released Unitree Go1, a quadruped robot similar to Boston Dynamics' Spot.[1] It is fitted with twelve motors; each can generate a maximum torque of 23.7 N⋅m (17.5 lbf⋅ft) and can spin at speeds of up to 30 rad/s (about 280 rpm).[2] According to an article by The Wall Street Journal, the Unitree robotic dog can navigate to different surfaces including sand, rocks, and soil.[3]

In April 2024, Unitree released a video showcasing the humanoid robot H1.[4] In August 2024, Unitree released Unitree G1, an upgraded version of the H1 robot, for mass production with a price tag of 16,000 USD.[5]

Products

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Unitree also received backing from venture capitals such as HongShan, Matrix Partners, and Shunwei Capital.[6]

  • Unitree Go1 and B1
    Unitree Go1 and B1
  • Unitree Go2
    Unitree Go2
  • Unitree H1
    Unitree H1

Controversies

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U.S. Marines test fire the M72 LAW mounted on a Unitree robot

In August 2022, Unitree denied the allegations about reports of their Go1 robot being used by the Russian Armed Forces.[7]

In September 2023, the United States Marine Corps used an M72 LAW anti-tank rocket launcher fixed to a Go1 robotic dog during tactical training at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California.[8][9]

In May 2024, The Guardian reported that the Unitree Go2 robot has been used during China's joint military drills with Cambodia, having an automatic rifle on its back. According to the newspaper, this was based on footage broadcast by China Central Television.[10] Unitree, on the same month, stated that they do not sell their products to the People's Liberation Army.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Pearl Li, Stephanie (7 July 2021). "Unitree Robotics develops personal robot dogs that can jog with you". KrASIA. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ^ Pedro, Gabriel Duarte Gonçalves; Bermudez, Gabriel; Medeiros, Vivian Suzano; Cruz Neto, Hélio Jacinto da; Barros, Luiz Guilherme Dias de; Pessin, Gustavo; Becker, Marcelo; Freitas, Gustavo Medeiros; Boaventura, Thiago (June 2024). "Quadruped Robot Control: An Approach Using Body Planar Motion Control, Legs Impedance Control and Bézier Curves". Sensors. 24 (12): 3825. Bibcode:2024Senso..24.3825P. doi:10.3390/s24123825. PMC 11207842. PMID 38931609. S2CID 270510517.
  3. ^ McCormick, John (9 July 2021). "AI Gives Robots More Room to Roam". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  4. ^ Zhang, Tong (31 March 2024). "Chinese robot's backflip is a leap forward for electric-powered humanoid machines and nation's push to lead industry". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. ^ Liszewski, Andrew (19 August 2024). "You'll need to teach this $16,000 humanoid robot how to make breakfast". The Verge. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b McMorrow, Ryan (30 May 2024). "China's army tests gun-toting version of robot dog". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. ^ Li, Jiaxing (16 August 2022). "Chinese robotic dog maker Unitree distances itself from Russian report showing a mounted rocket launcher". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  8. ^ Hambling, David (1 November 2023). "U.S. Marines Test Robot Dog Armed With A Rocket Launcher". Forbes. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  9. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (18 October 2023). "Marines Test Fire Robot Dog Armed With Rocket Launcher". The War Zone. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  10. ^ Hern, Alex (30 May 2024). "Meet the Chinese army's latest weapon: the gun-toting dog". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
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