Unitree’s Latest Humanoid Costs Just $15,000

HANGZHOU, China — Unitree Robotics launched an updated version of its G1 humanoid robot on Sept. 14, listing the standard G1+, a general-purpose platform designed for mobility, interaction and basic manipulation, at $15,000 before taxes and shipping on its international website.
The company’s mainland China product page (Chinese language) lists the robot at 95,000 yuan ($14,200), including tax. The difference reflects regional pricing and different treatment of taxes and shipping rather than a direct price reduction.

The G1+ adds two degrees of freedom in its neck, giving the standard model 25 degrees of freedom, according to Unitree’s international product page. The Hangzhou-based manufacturer also offers a G1+ EDU version with as many as 45 degrees of freedom, but customers must contact its sales team for pricing.

The standard model is about 1.34 meters tall and weighs approximately 35 kilograms with its battery. Its maximum arm payload is about 3 kilograms. The EDU version increases that figure to about 4 kilograms, although Unitree cautions that payload capacity varies substantially with the arm’s position.

Unitree says redesigned shoulder and waist motors provide 110% more peak torque while generating 72% less heat at the same torque. The company rates the arm motors for 43% more peak torque and 30% less heat under equivalent conditions. It has not published independent test results supporting those comparisons.

A revised perception system combines stereo cameras, a wide-angle camera and 3D lidar. Unitree also added five touch sensors to the head, a six-microphone array and two 10-watt speakers.

The robot retains a removable 9,000-mAh battery with a claimed operating time of about two hours. A new external power connection allows the robot to operate longer when tethered to a power source. The feature may be useful in laboratories and exhibitions, but it does not extend untethered battery operation.

Optional equipment for the EDU model includes additional computing modules, a waist with three degrees of freedom and dexterous hands. The EDU version supports customer research and software development, while the standard model does not offer the same development access, according to Unitree’s specifications.

Unitree has not disclosed delivery times, order volumes or the number of G1+ units delivered. The company also warns that humanoid robotics remains at an early stage and says some functions shown on the product page are still being developed.