Unitree Robotics is set to launch its cheapest humanoid robot, the R1, in global markets next week. What makes this launch stand out is the sales strategy. Unitree is taking humanoid robots directly to online platforms, starting with AliExpress. This marks a shift from traditional enterprise sales to a more accessible, e-commerce-driven approach.

The initial rollout will cover North America, Europe, Japan, and Singapore. The company is also joining Alibaba’s Brand+ channel, which brings benefits like free shipping, free returns, and better global visibility. More online and offline sales channels are expected to follow.

R1 Robot: Built for Motion, Priced for Access

The R1 was first launched in China in 2025 at a starting price of 29,900 yuan (around $4,370), making it one of the most affordable humanoid robots available. While global pricing is still unannounced, the company is expected to keep it competitive.

Standing 123 cm tall and weighing over 27 kg, the R1 is designed for dynamic movement. It can perform cartwheels, run downhill, stand up from the ground, and execute complex routines. The “Born for sport” positioning highlights its focus on agility and motion rather than industrial tasks.

From Labs to Online Buyers

Unitree’s move to sell robots online signals a major shift in how humanoid machines are marketed and distributed. Until now, most robots were sold through enterprise deals or research contracts. By listing on platforms like AliExpress, Unitree is opening access to developers, educators, and even early consumers globally.

This builds on its existing customer base, where around 70% of shipments in 2025 went to universities and research institutions. The online model could further expand this ecosystem.

Scaling Fast with a Low-Cost Strategy

The company shipped over 5,500 humanoid robots in 2025, far ahead of competitors like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics, which delivered around 150 units each. Unitree now aims to ship 10,000 to 20,000 units in 2026.

Its cost advantage comes from a highly localized supply chain, with over 80% of components sourced within China. This allows it to price robots far below global averages, where similar machines can cost up to $300,000.

A New Phase for Consumer Robotics

Unitree’s online-first global launch could reshape the humanoid robotics market. By combining low pricing with e-commerce accessibility, the company is testing real-world demand beyond labs and factories.

If successful, this approach could accelerate adoption and bring humanoid robots closer to mainstream buyers much faster than expected.

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BMW is starting to put humanoid robots to work in Europe — a first for the company — as it looks for new ways to improve efficiency and stay competitive in a tough global market.

The German automaker has launched a pilot program at its Leipzig plant in Germany, where AI-powered humanoid robots will assist with selected assembly tasks. While this is the first European rollout, it’s not BMW’s first experiment overall. The company previously ran a 10-month trial at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant in the US, where Figure AI’s Figure 02 humanoid robots worked five days a week, up to 10 hours a day.

During that US pilot, the robots reportedly handled physically demanding tasks such as placing sheet metal components for welding. According to BMW, they contributed to the production of more than 30,000 vehicles while also reducing strain on human workers. The goal wasn’t to replace staff, but to take over repetitive or ergonomically challenging jobs.

Now, the focus shifts to Leipzig. At the German facility, BMW is testing the AEON humanoid robot developed by Hexagon Robotics. The machines will assist in assembly line operations and in high-voltage battery production.

For now, BMW says only a small number of units — in the single digits — will operate alongside human employees, complementing existing automation systems rather than replacing them.

BMW executives are framing the move as part of a broader push toward digitalization and “physical AI” in manufacturing. Milan Nedeljković, the company’s production chief and incoming CEO, described digital technologies as key to maintaining competitiveness.

BMW isn’t alone in exploring humanoid robotics. Automakers including Tesla, Mercedes, and Hyundai have all signaled interest in similar technologies. Analysts at Morgan Stanley have projected that the humanoid robotics market could reach $5 trillion by 2050, with large-scale adoption expected particularly in China.

Full-scale deployment — if it happens — will depend on how well the robots integrate into existing workflows and whether they can deliver measurable productivity gains.

Still, the direction is clear. As manufacturing becomes more complex, automakers are increasingly looking beyond traditional industrial robots.

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Caviar has announced Aladdin, a custom concept robot that reimagines the Unitree G1 humanoid platform as a luxurious, culturally-inspired collectible. The robot combines high-end engineering with ornate design motifs drawn from Arab culture and Islamic art, presenting a unique fusion of robotics and craftsmanship.

The Aladdin project is not a mass-market release. Caviar intends it as a bespoke commission-only offering. Each unit will be customized with handcrafted ornamentation, including gold accents and precious stone inlays. The design references traditional Eastern attire such as the chapan and caftan, blending curved silhouettes and decorative flourishes to mimic ceremonial robes worn by historical Arab nobility.

The company has positioned Aladdin as the world’s first luxury humanoid robot. It runs on the Unitree G1 platform, which features 23 degrees of freedom, dynamic stabilization, advanced actuators, and a total height of 130 cm with a weight of around 35 kg. These specifications enable the robot to walk, gesture, and perform naturalistic movements. Caviar retains this engineering core while redesigning the outer body to reflect cultural heritage and symbolic elegance.

Caviar describes the project as a reinterpretation of the Aladdin myth from One Thousand and One Nights. Instead of a genie emerging from a lamp, Aladdin becomes a metaphor for artificial intelligence animating a machine. The robot is designed to evoke the idea of a digital-era hero, someone who draws power not from magic, but from intelligence and technological mastery.

The company also places a strong emphasis on personalization, involving buyers directly in the creative process. Buyers choose decorative motifs and symbolic elements, which Caviar’s designers and engineers then develop into a finished product, making each Aladdin robot a unique creation.

The Aladdin project expands Caviar’s portfolio beyond luxury electronics and into the realm of artistic robotics. The robot stands as a conceptual statement about the future of high-end technology and the role of culture in shaping machine aesthetics.

Caviar has not announced the price or production timeline. Both are available upon request.

In related news, Caviar has recently unveiled a $12,000 chocolate egg concealing a gold smartphone, and also introduced the Secret Love iPhone 17 Pro collection with prices starting at $10,200.

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LG Electronics has announced LG CLOiD, an AI-powered home robot that will be shown publicly for the first time at CES 2026. The robot is designed to handle and coordinate everyday household tasks by working directly with connected home appliances. LG says the goal is to reduce the time and physical effort required for routine chores.

At CES 2026, LG will demonstrate CLOiD in realistic home settings. In one example, the robot takes milk from a refrigerator and places a croissant into an oven to prepare breakfast. After the occupants leave the house, CLOiD starts the laundry, then folds and stacks clothes once drying is complete. These demonstrations focus on showing how the robot understands daily routines and controls appliances based on user habits rather than fixed commands.

LG CLOiD’s hardware is designed for use inside living spaces. The robot consists of a head unit, a torso with two articulated arms, and a wheeled base with autonomous navigation. The torso can tilt to change height, allowing the robot to pick up items from knee level and from higher surfaces. Each arm has seven degrees of freedom, similar to a human arm, with movement at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Each hand has five independently actuated fingers, enabling precise handling of household objects in kitchens, laundry rooms, and living areas.

The wheeled base uses autonomous driving technology derived from LG’s robot vacuum products and the LG Q9. The low center of gravity improves stability and helps prevent tipping if the robot is bumped by a child or pet. LG selected this design for safety, stability, and cost efficiency.

The head of LG CLOiD functions as a mobile AI home hub. It includes the main chipset, a display, a speaker, cameras, multiple sensors, and voice-based generative AI. These components allow the robot to communicate using speech and facial expressions, learn home layouts and user lifestyles, and control connected appliances based on what it learns.

At the core of CLOiD is LG’s Physical AI technology. This combines Vision Language Models, which convert images and video into language-based understanding, and Vision Language Action models, which turn visual and verbal input into physical actions. These systems have been trained on tens of thousands of hours of household task data.

LG also announced LG Actuator AXIUM, a new actuator brand for service robots. Actuators combine motors, drives, and reducers and are among the most critical and expensive robot components. LG plans to use its appliance manufacturing expertise to deliver compact, efficient, high-torque designs.

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A training session involving Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot has gone viral for all the wrong—and funny—reasons. The clip, first uploaded to China’s Bilibili on December 25, shows a human trainer controlling the G1 using a motion-capture suit. The setup allows the robot to mirror the trainer’s movements in real time, a common method used to teach humanoid robots complex actions.

Things are going smoothly at first. The trainer throws a few punches and kicks, and the G1 follows along without issue. But during one sequence, the robot appears to misjudge a rotation and delivers a kick straight into the trainer’s groin.

The reaction is immediate. The trainer doubles over, clutching himself before dropping to his knees. Seconds later, the robot copies the same posture, bending forward as if reacting to the pain itself—a moment that has turned the clip into a meme across social platforms.

The video quickly spread beyond Bilibili, appearing on X (formerly Twitter) the next day. It was shared widely, including by Tesla Cybertruck chief engineer Wes Morrill, and has since picked up traction on Reddit and other forums.

The humanoid robot has previously been shown playing table tennis, shooting basketballs, and performing martial arts routines. This incident, however, highlights one of the risks of close-range teleoperation, where small timing errors or misread movements can lead to unexpected results.

Despite the mishap, teleoperation remains an important tool for training humanoid robots, especially for tasks that are too complex to pre-program. Still, the clip serves as a reminder that even advanced robots are far from flawless.

For now, the G1’s accidental kick—and its perfectly timed imitation of human suffering—has given the internet a good laugh.

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LG Electronics will debut its home robot, LG CLOiD, at CES 2026 in Las Vegas from January 6-9. The robot handles various household tasks as a multipurpose home assistant.

The brand has shared a couple of teaser images of the robot in its press release alongside some key details. As per LG, CLOiD has two articulated arms with seven degrees of freedom each, allowing human-like movement. Each hand features five independently controlled fingers for delicate tasks requiring fine motor control.

The robot’s head contains an integrated chipset that serves as its brain, along with a display, speaker, camera, and sensors. These components enable voice interaction, navigation, and communication. LG’s Affectionate Intelligence technology lets CLOiD sense its surroundings, interact naturally with users, and improve through repeated use to provide personalized support.

LG designed CLOiD for its “Zero Labor Home, Makes Quality Time” vision. The goal is reducing household chores so people can focus on relationships and personal time instead of housework.

The robot’s size suits modern living spaces. Its sensor array and AI capabilities allow it to navigate homes, execute commands, and deliver increasingly personalized assistance over time.

LG’s announcement comes as the home robotics market becomes more competitive, with both major tech firms and startups racing to deliver practical robots for everyday use. Samsung is one of LG’s closest competitors with its Ballie home robot, which is preparing for wider release. Ballie focuses on mobility, voice interaction, and smart home control, positioning itself as an AI lifestyle assistant.

Amazon is another key player with its Astro robot, which extends Alexa into a mobile platform for home monitoring and security. Astro’s design centers on voice assistance and surveillance rather than physical work.

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Midea has officially unveiled its next-generation humanoid robot, Miro U, at an event in Guangzhou, China. The robot is the world’s first to feature a six-arm wheel-leg design, and it is built for complex industrial tasks and high-efficiency automation.

Miro U is an upgraded version of Midea’s previous wheeled humanoid robot, which began operations in August at the company’s Jingzhou factory. The older model worked alongside autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), single-arm four-wheel bots, Kuka robotic systems, and human workers. The new Miro U will soon join this setup to further boost operational efficiency.

The robot targets multitasking and factory automation efficiency

Midea’s Vice President and CTO Wei Chang confirmed that Miro U is the third-generation model in the company’s humanoid robot lineup. The robot supports vertical lifting and 360-degree in-place rotation. It features six bionic mechanical arms with high-precision control and fast-switching end-effector modules for different tasks. Midea developed the full technology stack in-house.

Midea plans to deploy Miro U at its high-end washing machine factory in Wuxi by the end of 2025. The robot is expected to improve takt time and increase production line adjustment efficiency by up to 30%.

Wei also outlined the broader roadmap for Midea’s humanoid robotics program. The industrial-focused ‘Miro’ series has completed three iterations, while the ‘Mila’ series, aimed at commercial and residential environments, is in final testing. Midea plans to introduce Mila robots at its offline experience stores in 2026 for customer guidance and interactive product demonstrations.

The company said it will continue to invest in artificial intelligence and robotics. Large-scale deployment of humanoid robots remains a key priority in Midea’s long-term strategy.

In related news, Unitree has unveiled its first wheeled humanoid robot recently with vision, gripping, and self-learning capabilities, while Dobot’s new $1,000 robot dog is shaping up to be one of the smartest robotic pets on the market.

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Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun believes that artificial intelligence will reshape traditional industries over the next five years and says humanoid robots will soon play a central role in that transformation. In an interview with Beijing Daily, Lei said AI is no longer a peripheral tool, but a core driver for rebuilding the industrial landscape across sectors.

Humanoid Robots Will Soon Outnumber Workers

Lei cited Xiaomi’s EV factory as an early example of how AI can deliver massive efficiency gains. Inspecting large die-cast components manually is slow and error-prone. But an X-ray system integrated with a vision AI model now performs the task in two seconds, offering ten times the speed and more than five times the accuracy of a human worker. Lei described this as a glimpse of what’s possible when AI is deeply embedded into core manufacturing processes.

He said this level of automation and precision could unlock a new trillion-yuan ($140 billion) industrial market, but emphasized that no company can build the entire pipeline alone. Partnerships and collaborative ecosystems will be critical for scaling AI across industries.

Looking ahead, Lei said Xiaomi will deploy humanoid robots across its factories on a large scale within five years. These robots will be able to take over tasks currently handled by humans on the assembly line. “And this is only the first step,” Lei said. He expects the home market for humanoid robots to be even bigger, with higher complexity and stricter performance demands.

Lei also highlighted China’s role in smart manufacturing and warned against following the outdated model of relying on cheap labor. He called on the capital city’s manufacturing sector to lead with intelligent production methods and capture the high ground in the race for industrial upgrading.

The company has already made strides in robotics. Its CyberOne humanoid robot debuted in 2022 as a proof of concept. Since then, Xiaomi has quietly expanded its AI and robotics research as part of its broader push into smart electric vehicles and advanced automation.

Xiaomi’s vision aligns with broader trends in China’s manufacturing upgrade roadmap, where AI, robotics, and smart factories are expected to play a central role in driving long-term competitiveness.

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1X Technologies, a robotics startup backed by OpenAI, has opened preorders for its first consumer-facing humanoid robot named Neo. The robot costs $20,000, with shipments set to begin in the United States in 2026, followed by a global release in 2027.

Specifications and Design

Neo stands 1.68 meters tall and weighs around 30 kilograms. It uses tendon-driven actuators and features a soft body made of 3D lattice polymer. The robot has a low operating noise of 22 decibels and can operate for up to four hours on a single charge. It can carry loads up to 24.95 kilograms and lift objects weighing up to 69.85 kilograms. Neo is available in three color options: Tan, Grey, and Dark Brown.

1X says Neo can take care of everyday household chores, including folding laundry, organizing shelves, and cleaning rooms. The robot can be operated through voice commands or a dedicated mobile app that supports task scheduling and real-time monitoring. It also includes a built-in large language model that enables contextual conversations, answers user queries, and offers helpful suggestions.

Neo combines audio, visual, and memory-based data to personalize its behavior and recognize when it is being addressed. It can also process visual information to identify kitchen ingredients and suggest recipes accordingly.

During its early stages of development, Neo relies on a feature called Expert Mode for tasks it does not yet understand. Through this system, users can schedule remote assistance sessions where a human operator from 1X can take control using a VR headset. These sessions require user consent, and privacy options let users blur faces, define private zones, and restrict access.

1X says it has implemented multiple security layers to protect user privacy. The company emphasized that early adopters should expect some level of human teleoperation to support Neo’s AI training. CEO Bernt Øyvind Børnich described this as part of a “social contract” between users and the company to help advance the technology.

Pricing and Availability

The robot is now available for preorder on the official 1X website with a refundable deposit of $200. The company also offers a $499 monthly subscription plan for those who prefer not to pay the full price upfront.

In related AI news, a study finds that AI search engines tend to cite lesser-known websites over popular sources. Meanwhile, Google has introduced Vibe Coding in AI Studio, allowing developers to create AI apps from a single prompt.

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AI and LLMs have been at the forefront of nearly every piece of tech hardware in 2025. While they’ve mostly been helping out inside devices we already know, like phones and laptops, humanoid robots are where AI truly flexes its muscles.  

AI and language models are what give a humanoid robot its brain and personality. And believe it or not, the tech has come far enough that we’re about to see it compete on a global stage. 

Starting August 15th, China is hosting the world’s first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, which is a three-day athletic and intellectual contest that will bring together 280 teams from 16 countries. 

The competition will be held at the National Speed Skating Oval, better known as “The Ice Ribbon.” It is the same venue that hosted speed skating competitions at the 2022 Winter Olympics. 

The stadium has now been transformed into a high-tech robot arena with all the facilities required for maintenance and charging of the droids.

The games are co-organized by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, China Media Group, the World Robot Cooperation Organization, and the Asia-Pacific RoboCup International Council. 

The event includes 487 competitions across 26 categories, ranging from traditional athletic events like track and field to scenario-based challenges that mimic real-world jobs.

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Games across different genres

Inside the Ice Ribbon stadium, there are now four major competition areas. There’s a widened 2.1-meter running track for sprinting robots, a 5v5 robot soccer field, a boxing ring, and even hotel- and hospital-themed setups for scenario contests. The venue has also been outfitted with a remote control zone along the track, letting human operators guide robots in real time while avoiding collisions.

Outside the arena, organizers have built two dedicated support hubs. Both facilities are equipped with signal support, custom charging cabinets, and even “laboratory-grade” air control for precise competition environments.

As you might guess from the name, the games are designed to test how helpful or skillful a humanoid can be in real-life scenarios. Like in the hospital challenge, the robots will need to sort medicines and package them according to prescriptions. 

In the hotel cleaning event, robots will enter a room, find trash scattered across furniture, and dispose of it properly. Other tasks include warehouse sorting and factory material handling, all situations that could translate directly to commercial use.

Teams can choose between fully autonomous operation and teleoperation (human-controlled). Autonomous robots rely heavily on visual recognition and decision-making algorithms, while teleoperated ones depend on stable, low-latency network links, something the venue’s 5G-A network has been optimized for.

A global mix of players

The lineup includes leading Chinese companies like Yushu Technology, Xinghaitu, Tiangong, and Fourier, alongside top universities such as Tsinghua, Peking, and Shanghai Jiao Tong. 

Reportedly, international teams from countries including the US and Germany are also competing in the event. Some companies, like Meituan-backed Xinghaitu, are also supplying robots to multiple teams, including its universal humanoid models R1Pro and R1Lite.

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The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center has unveiled the “Tiangong,” a humanoid robot capable of human-like running at a speed of 6 kilometers per hour. This marks a significant development in the field of robotics, with Tiangong being the world’s first fully electrically driven humanoid robot to achieve this feat.

Tiangong Designed for Diverse Applications

Standing at 163 centimeters tall and weighing 43 kilograms, Tiangong boasts a lightweight design that allows for stable running. It utilizes multiple visual perception sensors, a high-precision inertial measurement unit (IMU), and 3D vision sensors, enabling it to navigate its environment effectively. Additionally, the robot is equipped with high-precision six-dimensional force sensors for accurate force feedback.

Tiangong utilizes a new humanoid robot motion skill learning method called “State Memory-based Predictive Reinforcement Imitation Learning.” This method played a crucial role in achieving the robot’s ability to run naturally.

The developers have emphasized the openness and compatibility of Tiangong, allowing for open communication interfaces and flexible expansion of software, hardware, and other functional modules. This adaptability ensures the robot’s potential for various application scenarios.

Tiangong successfully navigated slopes and stairs even without visual input, showcasing its ability to adapt to changing environments. It also demonstrated agility by adjusting its gait when encountering obstacles or uneven terrain.

The unveiling of Tiangong marks a significant advancement in humanoid robot development. Its ability to run naturally opens doors for potential applications in various fields, including search and rescue operations, disaster response, and the manufacturing industry. While further research and development are likely needed, Tiangong presents a promising step towards more versatile and adaptable humanoid robots in the future.

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Tesla, the US-based company known for making electric vehicles, is also in the business of solar roofs and solar panels. Now, the company is expanding its business and is set to launch a humanoid robot called Tesla Bot.

While making this announcement at AI Day, an actor in a bodysuit appeared on stage and Elon Musk pointed out that the Tesla Bot will look similar to it. The announcement also gives a peek at the future of Tesla as the company works on exciting new products that are scheduled to launch in the future.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has revealed that the company will build a humanoid robot and a prototype of the same could be unveiled next year. However, we would advise you to take this with a pinch of salt as such developments rarely happen on a given timeline and Tesla has a history of not sticking to the predicted timeframe.

There’s also a possibility that the product may not even see the light of day. For instance, a couple of years ago, in April 2019, Elon Musk said that Tesla would have one million autonomous “robotaxis” on the road in 2020. It’s 2021 and those robotaxis are nowhere to be seen.

Tesla Bot is codenamed “Optimus” and is powered by the same chips and sensors that the company is using for self-driving features on its cars. The robot is about five feet and eight inches tall, featuring a screen where the head is for useful information. It will be able to carry 45 pounds, lift 150 pounds, and can run 5 miles per hour.

Musk says that the company has a chance to transform the world economy by driving labor costs down if the humanoid robot works and can perform repetitive tasks that only humans can do today. But he has warned that the robot probably won’t work at first.

The popularity of robots has been on rising and thanks to the advancement in technology, many companies are now working on making robots. Recently, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi launched CyberDog, a bio-inspired quadruped robot that is powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson Xavier NX AI Supercomputer, paired with 128GB of near-industrial grade SSD.

It can be controlled using the mobile app, voice control, and remote control. It has a wide range of movements including running, jumping, turning left or right, and leaning forward.  The robot can also do a backflip, roll around, and stand on its hind legs. It has a maximum walking speed of 3.2m/s and a maximum payload of 3kg. It is priced at 9,999 yuan which roughly converts to $1,541.

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In 2016, Hong Kong-based robotics company Hanson Robotics first unveiled Sophia, a humanoid robot. The robot soon became an internet sensation as it went viral after unveiling. Hanson Robotics is now planning to commence mass production of the robots before the end of the year.

The Hong Kong-based company hinted that plans are in top gear to release four models, including Sophia. These models would start rolling out of factories in the first half of 2021. This news is coming as researchers predict the pandemic will open new opportunities for the robotics industry.

“The world of COVID-19 is going to need more and more automation to keep people safe,” founder and chief executive of Handon Robotics, David Hanson said. We ghve seen robots deployed in the healthcare and delivery industry  but Hanson CEO holds the believe that robotic solutions to the pandemic are not limited to healthcare but could assist customers in industries such as retail and airlines too.

“Sophia and Hanson robots are unique by being so human-like,” he added. “That can be so useful during these times where people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.” He rolled out plans to sell “thousands” of robots in 2021, both large and small” but failed to disclose the specufuc number the company us targeting.

Social robotics professor Johan Hoorn, whose research has included work with Sophia, said that although the technology is still in relative infancy, the pandemic could accelerate a relationship between humans and robots.

Hanson Robotics is also planning to launch a robot this year developed for the healthcare sector and called Grace.

Products from other big players in the industry are helping fight the pandemic as well. SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper robot was deployed to detect people who weren’t wearing masks. In China, robotics company CloudMinds helped set up a robot-run field hospital during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.

The use of robots was on the rise before the pandemic. According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics, worldwide sales of professional-service robots had already jumped 32% to $11.2 billion between 2018 and 2019.

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