China’s Unitree Robotics Receive Orders For Production Ready “Mecha”
China’s Unitree Robotics said it had received orders immediately upon the release of the world’s first production-ready manned mecha, whose debut went viral on the internet earlier this week.
Unitree’s GD01 robot, which can switch between bipedal and quadrupedal modes, made its debut on Tuesday. The company said the model is designed as a civilian transport device. It weighs approximately 500 kilograms with a person inside and can maintain stability even when toppling a brick wall.
Wang Xingxing, Unitree’s founder and chief executive, told Chinese state media Xinhua “Humanoid robot technology and products are still at the dawn of their development. There are many challenges ahead, requiring industry-wide cooperation and continuous investments,” Wang said, noting that Unitree is committed to a long-term approach in the area.
“The ultimate goal for humanoid robots is to become human-like and fully autonomous. Intermediate products that attract market attention and generate revenue can help the industry accumulate technology, cultivate markets and nurture talent,” Song added.
In February, Unitree’s humanoid robots attracted global spotlight by executing complex martial arts and stunt maneuvers like drunken boxing and backflips during the most-watched Spring Festival Gala.
In April, the company saw its humanoid robot, based on a proportional calculation, break the human world record for the 1,500-meter run in the Beijing humanoid robot half-marathon qualifying round.
It is reported that in 2025, the company’s humanoid robot shipments exceeded 5,500 units, while its global market share for quadruped robots remained stable at between 60 and 70 percent.
