Unitree Will Sell You A Massive ‘transformable Mecha’ For $650,000

Unitree is already 1 of nan astir recognizable names successful nan humanoid robot industry, but now it’s pursuing moreover nicher sci-fi tech: elephantine mech suits. The Chinese robotics institution has debuted nan GD01, which it describes arsenic “the world’s first production-ready parented mecha,” and it tin beryllium yours for a paltry $650,000.

What is it for? Well, Unitree doesn’t really explicate its intended functionality, but nan GD01’s introductory video connected YouTube provides immoderate ideas. Unitree shows it knocking complete a wall of cinderblocks and switching betwixt bipedal position (which, to me, resembles nan Power Loader that Ellen Ripley pilots successful Aliens) to a mode that allows it to locomotion astir connected 4 legs for illustration an unsettling mechanical horse.

“It tin transform. It’s a civilian vehicle. It weighs ~500kg pinch you inside,” Unitree says successful nan video description. “Please everyone beryllium judge to usage nan robot successful a friends and safe manner.”

Some shots show Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing clambering into nan GD01’s cockpit, what appears to beryllium a racing-style chair surrounded by a roll-cage. I suspect, however, that nan “passenger” it’s really seen carrying astir is apt a dummy for testing purposes. It’s besides unclear really nan mech is really operated arsenic immoderate clips show that it tin execute tasks without having a personification wrong it.

Its expertise to “transform” — switching betwixt bipedal and quadrapedal modes — besides appears to beryllium limited, arsenic nan seating position doesn’t orientate itself erstwhile nan bot flips over. Any passengers successful this business will either find themselves staring into nan sky, or, presumably, having to get retired and set nan spot position manually.

The GD01 apparently isn’t a prank (Wired confirmed pinch Unitree) though you’d beryllium forgiven for reasoning it is. I surely did. Unitree is known for putting retired viral video demonstrations of its humanoid G1 robots doing martial arts, backflips, playing tennis, and moreover kicking a feline successful nan balls. The GD01 motorboat is superior capable that Unitree is asking customers to “refrain from making immoderate vulnerable modifications” aliases “using nan robot successful a hazardous manner.”