The progress in humanoid development at Unitree, a Chinese robotics company, remains steady. After introducing its agile H1 bot into the scene just last year, capable of executing backflips, the company now unveils an impressive all-around humanoid. This new addition, lacking facial features and hands, expands the repertoire of Unitree's robotic achievements.

Figure 1. Flexible joint and internal "hollow joint" wiring "unlock unlimited movement ability.

Figure 1 shows flexible joint and internal "hollow joint" wiring "unlock unlimited movement ability Until recently, Unitree primarily concentrated on advancing its lineup of robotic canines, exemplified by models like the Go2 and B2. However, the company's commercially accessible quadrupeds have ventured into concerning territories, including the creation of the flamethrowing Thermonator and the instance when the US Marines affixed an M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon rocket launcher to one of them. Despite these alarming developments, Unitree's robotic dogs have also demonstrated beneficial applications since their debut at ICRA 2019.

When the H1 joined the humanoid scene, companies such as Boston Dynamics, Figure, Sanctuary AI, and Tesla were already well into their development journeys. Nonetheless, Unitree swiftly bridged the gap and has now unveiled initial information about its second model, the G1 Humanoid Agent.

While the H1 boasted a hefty price tag of US$90,000 and a waiting period of up to 10 years, the G1 comes at a significantly lower starting price of $16,000. While still a considerable investment, it presents a comparative bargain for those seeking a robot assistant, assembly line worker, or research aid.

Undoubtedly influenced by the somewhat eerie unveiling video for the new Atlas humanoid, Unitree's latest robotic creation begins its video demonstration appearing as if it has suffered robocide. However, it swiftly elevates its legs and stands tall to showcase its "extra-large joint movement."

The G1 represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the H1, boasting enhancements such as a helmet head with an illuminated visage equipped with 3D LiDAR sensors and a depth camera. Additionally, it features human-like robotic hands for various tasks, including floor exercises, and three-fingered grippers for versatile performance in both home and workplace settings.

Impressively, the G1 demonstrates resilience by recovering smoothly even after enduring brutal kicks and punches, suggesting its durability in challenging environments.

Unitree indicates that the robot will undergo training in a simulated environment using reinforcement learning and observational learning from others. Any newly acquired skills are expected to be seamlessly distributed to all humanoid units via over-the-air updates. Powering its operations are eight high-performance cores, and it comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

With a total of 23 to 43 degrees of freedom in its joints, the G1 delivers a maximum torque of up to 120 Nm. It achieves a running speed of 2 meters per second (4.47 mph) and boasts a battery life of approximately 2 hours per charge for its 9,000-mAh battery pack.

Weighing around 35 kg (although the product page lists it at 47 kg/103.6 lb), the G1 can compactly fold itself down to dimensions of 690 x 450 x 300 mm (27 x 17.7 x 11.8 inches) for convenient transportation. This feature, as seen above, adds a touch of charm to its appearance, albeit with a hint of peculiarity.

Unitree is introducing both a standard G1 model and an enhanced educational version. The video acknowledges that some functions demonstrated are still undergoing development. Nonetheless, it signifies a remarkable debut for the G1 Humanoid Agent.

Reference:

1. https://newatlas.com/robotics/unitree-g1-humanoid-agent/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzX1qOIO1bE

Cite this article:

Gokila G (2024), Watch $16k G1 Humanoid Robot Masterfully Crack Nuts, Twist, And Twirl with Precision, AnaTechMaz, pp. 29