Audio episode : Unitree R1 – specs & price 10 min 58 s ▶ Listen Unitree R1: The super-agile humanoid robot – Reviews, prices & alternatives Unitree R1 , the brand new humanoid robot from Chinese manufacturer Unitree Robotics, is making headlines with its extremely low price. It is a machine capable of moving with great ease, designed to make humanoid robotics more accessible. This lightweight, space-saving model was designed to open the doors of advanced automation to a wider audience. It is aimed at curious minds, researchers, and educational institutions. ➥ What is the Unitree R1 robot? The Unitree R1 represents a significant advance in the field of bipedal androids. It offers complex movement capabilities and intelligent dialogue at an unprecedented cost. It measures approximately 1.21 meters (4 feet) in height and weighs 25 kilograms (55 pounds) . This robotic companion stands out for its slender silhouette and light weight. A concentration of technology This humanoid robot has 26 joints. This gives it great flexibility in its lower limbs, waist, arms, and head. The R1 incorporates a large multimodal language model. This allows it to handle voice and visual exchanges in real time. (Good to know: it speaks and understands!) It has a lithium battery that gives it about an hour of activity per charge. It is also equipped with a binocular camera for clear visibility at depth, and four microphones for good audio quality. ➥ How does the Unitree R1 work? Screenshot from the official Unitree.com website The Unitree R1 works thanks to an architecture designed for agility and dialogue. An 8-core processor, combined with a graphics processor , powers it. Thus, it can make fluid movements and react quickly. Varied and impressive movements The R1 is capable of performing a variety of physical movements. Demonstrations have shown this robot performing cartwheels, handstands, punches, and even running downhill. These feats clearly demonstrate its coordination and balance. Dialogue and programming This friendly robot includes an artificial intelligence system that enables voice recognition and image processing. This means that it can understand and respond to spoken commands. It can also interpret what it sees around it. The R1 is also ready for developers. It offers software and hardware customization options. This opens up new possibilities for specific applications. An “EDU” version is also available. It has hands that can grasp objects and a more powerful computing module (keep in mind that an upgraded version is available). Autonomy and connectivity The R1’s battery provides approximately one hour of operation on a single charge. For communication and data sharing, it is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. It should be noted that the basic model is controlled remotely. For it to be fully autonomous, further development is required. (autonomy is an important consideration) Unitree R1: the super agile and affordable AI robot ➥ Pros and cons The Unitree R1 humanoid robot has many positive features, but it also has some limitations. Advantages Affordable price: Its cost is significantly lower than most humanoid robots on the market. (Note: price is a major advantage) Impressive agility: Capable of complex and dynamic movements like flips and handstands. Lightweight: Weighing just 25 kg, it’s easier to handle and transport than many other models. Easy interaction: A large multimodal model enables natural voice and visual exchanges. Developer-friendly: Customizable structure makes it useful for research and experimentation. Disadvantages Basic hands: The standard model lacks hands capable of complex object manipulation. Limited battery life: One hour of operation may not be enough for some use cases. Everyday usability: It remains to be seen if it can truly perform practical household tasks. ➥ How much does the Unitree R1 robot cost? The Unitree R1 has a game-changing price for humanoid robots. Its starting price is around 5,900 US dollars . This pricing is considered a major milestone, as it makes humanoid robotics more accessible. By comparison, other android models cost much more: Unitree G1: Around $16,000. Unitree H1: Around $90,000. Tesla Optimus: Expected to be between $20,000 and $30,000. Figure 01 by Figure AI: Estimated at several tens of thousands of dollars. Agility Robotics Digit: Around $100,000 for enterprise use. You can choose an “EDU” version of the R1, which has more sophisticated hands and a more powerful calculation module. This increases the final cost. ➥ Who is the Unitree R1 made for? The Unitree R1 appeals to a wide range of people thanks to its design and price. Developers and Researchers: The device serves as an affordable development and testing platform for robotics research teams. Educational Institutions: A great tool for learning robotics and artificial intelligence in academic settings. Technology Enthusiasts: Individuals who want a humanoid robot without spending a fortune will find this device appealing. Small Businesses: The R1 can be used for simple tasks like greeting customers or performing demonstrations. Ultimately, the R1 aims to facilitate access to advanced androids. This paves the way for its wider use in different locations. ➥ But is it a useful robot? Questions arise about its practical usefulness for everyday tasks. This is mainly due to the lack of prehensile hands on the standard version. Some therefore wonder whether the spectacular demonstrations show consistent performance in uncontrolled environments. However, Unitree clearly wants to offer a machine that is “movement-focused” and ready to be customized. This may explain some of its perceived “limitations.” (Important: this is a tool for professionals, not a toy.) ➥ Alternatives to the Unitree R1 The humanoid robot market is seeing the arrival of many new players. Each offers different approaches in terms of performance and cost. Name Estimated Price Feature Main Target Unitree G1 Around $16,000 Heavier model capable of handling larger loads. Research labs and industrial environments. Unitree H1 Around $90,000 General-purpose model with advanced capabilities. Automotive manufacturing and industrial use. Tesla Optimus Expected between $20,000 and $30,000 Multi-purpose robot still under development. General public, future industrial applications. Figure 01 (Figure AI) Several tens of thousands of dollars Undisclosed information, focused on AI and learning. Businesses. Agility Robotics Digit Around $100,000 Designed for logistics and package handling. Enterprise use. UBTech Walker S2 Nearly $100,000 Can replace its own battery autonomously. Not specified for consumers. Fourier Intelligence GR-2 Targeting $90,000 Not specified, but focused on performance. Not specified. Apptronik Apollo Price similar to Digit or higher. Not specified, currently in testing phase. Selected partners. Sanctuary AI Phoenix Undisclosed Not specified, currently in testing phase. Selected partners. Ryze Labs Eliza $420,000 (pre-order) Humanoid companion with emotional AI. Ultra-premium use cases. It is clear that the Unitree R1 is positioned in a much lower price segment. Unitree Robotics is truly seeking to make humanoid robotics accessible to many. ➥ Review of the Unitree R1 robot The Unitree R1 humanoid robot is generating a lot of interest, especially due to its competitive price. It is widely seen as an important step toward the democratization of humanoid robots . Experts unanimously highlight its impressive mobility and agility. Its movements exceed expectations for a device of this cost. Its ability to interact using multimodal artificial intelligence is also a strong point. For developers and academic institutions, the R1 is an attractive and accessible platform for experimentation. ➥ FAQ Can the Unitree R1 replace a human for household tasks? + The current version of the Unitree R1 is not designed to handle complex household tasks like cooking or cleaning. This is mainly due to the lack of fully functional hands on the base model. What is the battery life of the Unitree R1? + The Unitree R1’s lithium battery provides about one hour of active usage. Is the Unitree R1 autonomous? + The base Unitree R1 model is mainly remote-controlled. However, autonomy is possible with further development, particularly in educational versions. Is the Unitree R1 suitable for children? + The Unitree R1 is a high-tech device, not a toy. It should be used with care and always under supervision. How and where can I buy the Unitree R1 robot? + You can easily purchase the Unitree R1 robot directly from the official store of Unitree Robotics .