Unitree Robotics (Chinese: 杭州宇树科技有限公司; pinyin: Hángzhōu yǔ shù kējì yǒuxiàn gōngsī), formally known as Hangzhou Yushu Technology,[1] is a Chinese robotics company based in Hangzhou, China. It specializes on quadruped robots aimed on individual consumers. The company was founded by Wang Xingxing in May 2016.[2]
Unitree also received backing from venture capitals (VCs) such as HongShan, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China, Matrix Partners China, and Shunwei Capital.[1]
History
editBeginning in 2013, Wang Xingxing developed quadrupeds during his postgraduate studies at the Shanghai University. In 2016, Wang developed his first quardruped device, XDog, for his master's thesis. The dog became an internet sensation which attracted both buyers and investors alike. At the time he started to work at the Chinese company DJI, Wang decided to resign and started his own company, Unitree.[2]
In 2021, Unitree released Unitree Go1, a quadruped robot which is similar to Boston Dynamic's Spot.[2] It is fitted with twelve motors. Each motor can generate a maximum torque of 23.7 Nm and can spin at speeds of up to 30 rad/s.[3] According to an article by The Wall Street Journal, the Unitree robot dog can navigate to different surfaces including sand, rocks, soil, etc.[4]
In April 2024, Unitree released a video showcasing the humanoid robot H1.[5]
Controversy
editIn August 2022, Unitree denies the allegations about reports of their Go1 robot being used by the Russian military.[6]
In May 2024, The Guardian reported that the Unitree Go2 robot has been used in Chinese military drills having an automatic rifle on its back. According to the newspaper, this was based on footage broadcast by the China Central Television.[7] Unitree, on the same month, stated that they do not sell their products to the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "China's army tests gun-toting version of robot dog". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ a b c Li, Stephanie (2021-07-07). "Unitree Robotics develops personal robot dogs that can jog with you". KrASIA. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ Pedro, Gabriel Duarte Gonçalves; Bermudez, Gabriel; Medeiros, Vivian Suzano; Cruz Neto, Hélio Jacinto da; Barros, Luiz Guilherme Dias de; Pessin, Gustavo; Becker, Marcelo; Freitas, Gustavo Medeiros; Boaventura, Thiago (January 2024). "Quadruped Robot Control: An Approach Using Body Planar Motion Control, Legs Impedance Control and Bézier Curves". Sensors. 24 (12): 3825. doi:10.3390/s24123825. ISSN 1424-8220. PMC 11207842.
- ^ McCormick, John (July 9, 2021). "AI Gives Robots More Room to Roam". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "Chinese robot's backflip a leap forward for electric-powered humanoid machines". South China Morning Post. 2024-03-31. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ "Chinese robotic dog maker distances itself from Russian military convention". South China Morning Post. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
- ^ Hern, Alex; editor, Alex Hern UK technology (2024-05-30). "Meet the Chinese army's latest weapon: the gun-toting dog". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
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