Unitree Robotics
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Native name | 杭州宇树科技有限公司 |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Robotics Artificial intelligence Automation |
| Founded | May 2016 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China |
Key people |
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| Website | unitree |
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 in quadruped robots aimed on individual consumers. The company was founded by Wang Xingxing in May 2016.[2]
Unitree also received backing from venture capitals such as HongShan, Matrix Partners, and Shunwei Capital.[1]
History
[edit]From 2013 Wang Xingxing developed quadrupeds during his postgraduate studies at the Shanghai University. In 2016 he developed his first quadruped device, XDog, for his master's thesis. The dog became an internet sensation which attracted buyers and investors. After he started to work at the Chinese company DJI, Wang decided to resign and start his own company, Unitree.[2]
In 2021, Unitree released Unitree Go1, a quadruped robot similar to Boston Dynamics' Spot.[2] It is fitted with twelve motors; each can generate a maximum torque of 23.7 N⋅m (17.5 lbf⋅ft) and can spin at speeds of up to 30 rad/s (about 280 RPM).[3] According to an article by The Wall Street Journal, the Unitree robot dog can navigate to different surfaces including sand, rocks, and soil.[4]
In April 2024, Unitree released a video showcasing the humanoid robot H1.[5]
Controversies
[edit]
In August 2022, Unitree denied the allegations about reports of their Go1 robot being used by the Russian military.[6]
In November 2023, Forbes released a set of photos showing a M72 anti-tank rocket launcher fixed to a Go1 robotic dog during tactical training for the US Marine Corps.[7]
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.[8] 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 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Li, Stephanie (7 July 2021). "Unitree Robotics develops personal robot dogs that can jog with you". KrASIA. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ 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. Bibcode:2024Senso..24.3825P. doi:10.3390/s24123825. ISSN 1424-8220. PMC 11207842. PMID 38931609.
- ^ McCormick, John (9 July 2021). "AI Gives Robots More Room to Roam". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Chinese robot's backflip a leap forward for electric-powered humanoid machines". South China Morning Post. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "Chinese robotic dog maker distances itself from Russian military convention". South China Morning Post. 16 August 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Marines Test Robot Dog Armed With A Rocket Launcher". www.forbes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ Hern, Alex (30 May 2024). "Meet the Chinese army's latest weapon: the gun-toting dog". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 June 2024.