How China’s $5,900 Unitree robot could change the future of humanoid AI

Chinese robotics company Unitree is shaking up the global robotics industry by launching one of the world’s first humanoid robots priced below $6,000. Called the Unitree R1, the robot was announced on Friday with a starting price of 39,900 yuan (roughly $5,900). Weighing just 25kg, the machine has 26 joints and is powered by multimodal AI, including voice and image recognition, Bloomberg reported.

The affordability of the R1 is significant. Until now, complex humanoid robots have remained out of reach for most consumers and small businesses, with prices hovering between $20,000 and $200,000. Unitree’s pricing could dramatically expand the market and accelerate the use of AI-driven robots in everyday settings — from factory floors to family homes.

The announcement comes ahead of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China’s premier AI event that brings together major tech founders, venture capitalists, and policymakers. Unitree’s CEO Wang Xingxing is already well known in Chinese tech circles and appeared earlier this year at a high-profile meeting with President Xi Jinping alongside Alibaba’s Jack Ma and Tencent’s Pony Ma — a sign of Unitree’s growing clout.

The launch of the R1 underlines China’s ambition to challenge U.S. companies like Boston Dynamics, long considered the leaders in robotics. While Boston Dynamics has focused on highly advanced but costly models, Chinese firms are now trying to leapfrog with affordable, functional humanoids that can be produced at scale. Unitree’s previous models sold for $16,000 and $90,000, but the R1 drastically lowers the barrier for entry.

While still early in development, the R1 is being marketed for both workplace and home use, signalling a shift in how humanoid robots are being positioned. Rival UBTech has plans for a $20,000 household robot this year, but Unitree’s price undercuts that significantly. If the R1 performs well, it could redefine expectations for both affordability and utility in AI robotics.

Morgan Stanley recently estimated the average cost of a sophisticated humanoid robot at $200,000 in 2024. Unitree’s $5,900 offering could force a rethink across the industry, especially as demand rises for AI-powered devices that can assist in logistics, caregiving, education, and even entertainment.

Let me know if you’d like a visual comparison of prices across robotics firms or a follow-up on how India is responding to this tech shift.