Unitree Robotics Explained

Unitree Robotics, formally known as Hangzhou Yushu Technology, is a Chinese robotics company based in Hangzhou, China. It specializes in quadruped robots aimed on individual consumers. The company was founded by Wang Xingxing in May 2016.[1]

Unitree also received backing from venture capitals such as HongShan, Matrix Partners China, and Shunwei Capital.

History

From 2013 Wang Xingxing developed quadrupeds during his postgraduate studies at the Shanghai University. In 2016 he developed his first quardruped device, XDog, for his master's thesis. The dog became an internet sensation which attracted buyers and investors. After he started to work at the Chinese company DJI, Wang decided to resign and start his own company, Unitree.

In 2021, Unitree released Unitree Go1, a quadruped robot similar to Boston Dynamics' Spot. It is fitted with twelve motors; each can generate a maximum torque of 23.7Nm and can spin at speeds of up to 30 rad/s (about 280 RPM).[2] According to an article by The Wall Street Journal, the Unitree robot dog can navigate to different surfaces including sand, rocks, and soil.[3]

In April 2024, Unitree released a video showcasing the humanoid robot H1.[4]

Controversy

In August 2022, Unitree denies the allegations about reports of their Go1 robot being used by the Russian military.[5]

In May 2024, The Guardian reported that the Unitree Go2 robot has been used in Chinese military drills having an automatic rifle on its back. According to the newspaper, this was based on footage broadcast by the China Central Television.[6] Unitree, on the same month, stated that they do not sell their products to the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Li . Stephanie . 2021-07-07 . Unitree Robotics develops personal robot dogs that can jog with you . 2024-06-17 . KrASIA . en.
  2. Pedro . Gabriel Duarte Gonçalves . Bermudez . Gabriel . Medeiros . Vivian Suzano . Cruz Neto . Hélio Jacinto da . Barros . Luiz Guilherme Dias de . Pessin . Gustavo . Becker . Marcelo . Freitas . Gustavo Medeiros . Boaventura . Thiago . January 2024 . Quadruped Robot Control: An Approach Using Body Planar Motion Control, Legs Impedance Control and Bézier Curves . Sensors . en . 24 . 12 . 3825 . 10.3390/s24123825 . free . 1424-8220. 11207842 .
  3. Web site: McCormick . John . July 9, 2021 . AI Gives Robots More Room to Roam . June 17, 2024 . The Wall Street Journal.
  4. Web site: 2024-03-31 . Chinese robot's backflip a leap forward for electric-powered humanoid machines . 2024-06-17 . South China Morning Post . en.
  5. Web site: 2022-08-16 . Chinese robotic dog maker distances itself from Russian military convention . 2024-06-17 . South China Morning Post . en.
  6. News: Hern . Alex . editor . Alex Hern UK technology . 2024-05-30 . Meet the Chinese army's latest weapon: the gun-toting dog . 2024-06-17 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  7. Web site: China's army tests gun-toting version of robot dog . 2024-06-17 . www.ft.com.