Unitree shows the more than 3 m tall mecha-like humanoid robot GD01
Unitree has taken mecha robots from Japanese anime as a model for its latest humanoid GD01 robot. It is primarily intended to transport goods.
The GD01 robot can transport a person. However, in this case, it is a dummy dressed as a race car driver.
(Image: Unitree Robotics/Screenshot)
The Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics intends to expand its portfolio of robots with an unusually large humanoid robot in the style of a mecha, as seen in Japanese anime. The approximately 3.4 m tall GD01 robot is currently remotely controlled, but can also accommodate a person in its torso in a cage-like structure. The idea is to use the robot for civilian transport tasks, for example.
Unitree does not reveal many details about the robot. The robotics company only states the weight of about 500 kg. The core of the robot is a cage-like torso, in which a sports seat with seat belts is installed for the demonstration. The torso rests on two humanoid legs, which are electrically driven. The torso also has two humanoid arms with hands, which have no gripping function whatsoever. They are also electrically driven.
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The metal pipe construction still has the charm of a prototype, as the metal pipes have been covered with cut bicycle tires so that a person does not get injured so easily when entering the cockpit. The space in the torso can be used to transport a person or material. For the video, Unitree decided to transport a person, probably to reinforce the mecha appearance. In reality, it is likely to be a space intended for carrying goods for transport. This is also suggested by the fact that the robot in its current stage has no control option in the cockpit, but is remotely controlled.
Only dummy transported in test
Although the video shows Unitree founder Wang Xingxing getting into the humanoid robot, only a dummy dressed in a racing suit and helmet is on board when it walks. It is unclear whether no one at Unitree dared to try the robot or whether insurance reasons spoke against it.
Unitree exclusively shows the GD01 walking on flat surfaces. It can be assumed that the robot will later be adapted for locomotion in more difficult terrain. If necessary, the robot can also move on four limbs. To achieve this, the robot tilts backward and uses its arms as an additional pair of legs for walking.
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It is still unclear when the GD01 will be released as a product. It is not yet listed on the company's website. However, Unitree has already announced the price for the mecha-like GD01 robot: it is expected to cost around 3.9 million yuan at entry level, which is about 573,674 US dollars.
(olb)
