Unitree G1

Unitree's G1 humanoid robot disrupted the industry when it launched in May 2024 at ICRA with a starting price of just $16,000. A fraction of what other humanoid platforms cost. The Chinese robotics company, previously known for its Go series quadruped robots, designed the G1 as an accessible platform for research, education, and light industrial applications.

Standing 127 cm tall and weighing just 35 kg, the G1 is intentionally compact and lightweight. The robot features 23 to 43 degrees of freedom depending on configuration, with joint torques reaching up to 120 Nm. Its fast walking speed of 2 m/s (4.5 mph) makes it remarkably agile for its size. The Standard edition provides 60 minutes of battery life, while the Pro variant ($20,000) extends runtime to 90 minutes with reinforced joints for more demanding applications.

The G1's sensor suite includes 3D LiDAR and Intel RealSense D435 cameras for perception, along with IMU, gyroscope, dual encoders per joint, a four-microphone array, and temperature sensors. An 8-core high-performance CPU handles onboard processing. For manipulation, Unitree offers optional force-controlled three-fingered hands (Dex3-1) that can be upgraded with tactile feedback sensors.

Software support includes ROS 2 compatibility and a Python API, making the G1 accessible to developers and researchers. The robot's ability to perform dynamic movements, including backflips in demonstration videos, showcases the quality of Unitree's control algorithms despite the aggressive price point. For educational institutions and research labs previously priced out of humanoid robotics, the G1 represents a genuine breakthrough in accessibility.