A look at Unitree's G1 and R1, the humanoid robots behind viral influencer accounts worldwide, as Unitree shipped 5,500+ units in 2025 and readies its China IPO (Zeyi Yang/Wired)
The Unitree G1 has found online fame as a relatively affordable robot that can charm a crowd. But can it ever hold down a real job?
Unitree, a Chinese robotics company, has gained worldwide attention with its humanoid robots, the G1 and R1, which have become viral influencer accounts. Unitree shipped over 5,500 units in 2025, and the company is now preparing for its IPO in China. The G1 is a 40-kilogram humanoid robot, about the size of a child, with aluminum limbs and a hollowed-out face.
It can perform various tasks, such as having conversations, hiking, and even juggling wild boars. Unitree's robots have been seen at events like America's Got Talent, World Cup games, and corporate parties. However, despite their commercial success, critics question if the robots can hold down traditional jobs. In the US, Unitree G1 and R1 are popular among influencers, with prices ranging from $13,500 to $66,000.
The G1 has faced restrictions in Europe due to the US Federal Communications Commission's ban on new Chinese-made humanoid robots, but in Poland, where the company's robots are widely used, there are fewer threats.
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