Chinese Company Begins Sales of Two-Legged Manned Robot
Unitree Robotics has started selling a 2.8-metre-tall pilotable robot priced at 3.9 million yuan. The machine can walk on two legs or four and is shown breaking through walls in promotional material.
EuronewsUnitree Robotics has begun selling a manned robot called the GD01. 9 million yuan, or nearly €500,000. The robot allows a human pilot to operate it from an open cockpit in its torso. It can move on two legs in a humanoid stance or switch to four legs for rough terrain.
Robotics was founded in 2016 in Hangzhou by engineer Wang Xingxing. The company first produced quadruped robots and now controls roughly 70 percent of the global quadruped robot market. In 2025 the company shipped more than 5,500 humanoid robots, more than any other manufacturer.
Powered exoskeletons have been developed for medical, logistics and defence uses by companies including Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company and Lockheed Martin. Several firms are now building general-purpose humanoid robots for warehouses and factories.
Tesla is developing its Optimus model and Figure AI has partnered with BMW. Unitree has not released details on battery life, speed, payload or operating duration for the GD01.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- This week
Unitree Robotics unveiled the GD01 manned transformable mecha.
1 sourceEuronews - 2025
Unitree shipped more than 5,500 humanoid robots.
1 sourceEuronews - 2016
Unitree Robotics was founded in Hangzhou by Wang Xingxing.
1 sourceEuronews
Potential Impact
- 01
Potential buyers may request additional technical specifications before purchase.
- 02
Other robotics firms may accelerate development of similar manned systems.
Transparency Panel
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