Chinese firm unveils ‘guardian’ robot that can disarm attackers, lift cars

A Chinese technology firm has unveiled a new "guardian" robot called H2-X, capable of disarming attackers, lifting cars, and saving trapped pedestrians. The H2-X model is part of Unitree Robotics' shift towards practical applications for its athletic robots. The H2-X is based on the H2 model and stands at 1.8 meters tall, weighing 70kg.

It has 31 degrees of freedom and a maximum leg-joint torque of 360 newton metres. The robot can operate for about eight hours while standing. Unitree Robotics, known for promotional stunts involving their robots performing martial arts and dances, did not disclose when the robot would be available, its price, or detailed technical specifications.

The company also did not confirm if the actions in the promotional video were autonomous or scripted. Unitree emphasized the need for a safety buffer of at least two to three meters between the robot and users. The unveiling of the H2-X comes at a time when Unitree and other Chinese robotics firms face investor pressure for commercial returns and viable deployment scenarios.

The company's shares dropped 2.1 per cent after the announcement, ending the day at 515 yuan, down nearly 39 per cent from its debut price of 845 yuan.