WATCH humanoid robot perform kung fu

Chinese robotics company Unitree has shared a video featuring its humanoid robot doing kung fu moves. The bot’s balance capabilities and range of movement have been upgraded, the firm said.

Humanoid robots are made to resemble and act like humans, imitating facial expressions, movements, and speech.

The video teaser published by the Hangzhou-based company earlier this week shows the human-like robot walking down the street while performing various martial arts strikes and kicking techniques. Unitree stated that the latest algorithm upgrade allows its G1 humanoid robot to “learn and perform virtually any movement.”

As per the company’s website, the $16,000 G1 humanoid robot, which debuted in August 2023, features powered joints on its arms, legs, and torso that allow 23 degrees of freedom.

Earlier this month, Unitree unveiled video footage of its humanoid G1 and H1 androids showing off new moves. G1, a more affordable version of the robot, was shown running, navigating uneven terrain, and walking in a more natural way. The taller H1 model performed a preset routine alongside human dancers at the Spring Festival Gala event marking the Chinese New Year.

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A number of companies – including Japan’s Honda, Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics – have been betting on humanoid robots to meet potential labor shortages in certain industries by performing repetitive tasks that may be seen as dangerous or tedious. Tesla, Meta, and OpenAI have recently joined the trend.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg cited sources as stating that Meta Platforms is planning to invest into futuristic robots that can act like humans and assist with physical tasks. The company is reportedly forming a new team within its Reality Labs hardware division to conduct the work.

Last December, media reports emerged that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is seeking to develop its own android. Last year, electric-vehicle producer Tesla announced plans to introduce humanoid robots for internal purposes starting in 2025, with plans for broader production by the following year.

Valued at $1.8 billion in 2023, the global humanoid robot market is projected to soar to more than $13 billion over the next five years, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets.