humanoid robots

Unitree Robotics, a Chinese humanoid robot company, is preparing for a $7 billion IPO to solidify its global position. The company is already profitable, with revenue exceeding $140 million, and has attracted investment from major tech players. Unitree’s IPO aligns with China’s strategy to lead in AI and robotics, supported by favorable government policies. While other players like Agibot and Tesla compete, Unitree currently has a commercialization advantage with competitive pricing. Global humanoid robot shipments are expected to rise significantly, indicating vast market potential.

Unitree Robotics is showcasing its G1 robot at WAIC 2025 in Shanghai, captivating attendees with a sparring match against a human. The agile robot, equipped with boxing gear, demonstrates impressive combat skills and resilience. This display highlights advancements in robotic dexterity and control. Robot combat, while currently human-controlled, serves as a learning tool for AI development, potentially leading to breakthroughs in practical applications like elder care and delivery services.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited China, praising its AI development and hinting at a shift in Nvidia’s strategy amid US chip restrictions. While downplaying GPU criticality, Nvidia aims to promote its new China-specific B30 chip and robotic technologies. Huang’s remarks suggest a willingness to tolerate CUDA compatibility from competitors, reflecting concerns about losing market share to domestic AI chip makers like Huawei and Cambricon, and a desire to maintain influence through its CUDA ecosystem, even with potential hardware revenue losses.

Ubtech Robotics condemns third-party vendors modifying its robots. These vendors are integrating unauthorized AI into discontinued products, leading to aggressive and inappropriate behavior in live demonstrations, primarily on platforms like TikTok. Ubtech cites these modifications mislead consumers while posing risks to data security, consumer privacy, and contradicting its product design principles.

The rise of humanoid robots, particularly Unitree’s G1, fueled a burgeoning “robot rental” market. Initially, high demand and limited supply led to lucrative daily rental fees (up to RMB 20,000). Early adopters, like Huanmeng Technology, profited from exhibitions and rentals. However, increased competition and decreased hype resulted in a price drop and market chaos. Despite setbacks, operators are actively exploring new features and collaborations, highlighting the market’s volatile but dynamic nature.

Amazon is testing humanoid robots for package delivery, aiming to automate last-mile logistics. Leveraging technology from Chinese firms like Unitree Robotics, DeepSeek, and Alibaba, Amazon is building a simulated environment to assess robot performance in complex delivery scenarios. The initiative combines hardware and software to enhance robots’ capabilities, aiming to replace human delivery personnel and integrate robots with Rivian electric delivery vans. This move underscores the growing influence of Chinese technology in global automation.