A $4,370 Humanoid Robot Will Soon Be Available for Purchase on AliExpress

Showcasing consumer electronics on major online ecommerce platforms is a crucial move in “democratizing” these products, enabling anyone to make a purchase with just a click. While this trend has already extended to automobiles (in the U.S., you can buy a Hyundai on Amazon), it is now reaching humanoid robots.

Unitree Robotics, a leading player in the robotics industry, is gearing up to launch its most affordable model, the Unitree R1, onto international markets via Alibaba Group’s platform. According to The South China Morning Post, the initial launch will target North America, Japan, Singapore, and Europe. While a specific release date for the robots remains unconfirmed, the report suggests they could be available as soon as this week.

This isn’t the first instance of Unitree utilizing AliExpress as a global retail channel. The G1 model, a more advanced and pricier predecessor to the R1, is already up for grabs at just under $19,000.

The G1 is already available for purchase on AliExpress.

This move is as much a symbolic milestone as it is a commercial one; offering a humanoid robot on a global platform enhances its accessibility. This marks a significant step towards normalizing technology that has yet to see widespread adoption. With the introduction of the R1, the barrier to entry is lowered even more, shifting humanoid robots from a realm of potential to one of tangible availability.

Lower Price, Higher Demand

When first unveiled last summer, the R1 started at a price of 39,900 yuan, roughly $5,900. Currently, the base model is priced at 29,900 yuan, about $4,370.

This price may vary due to fluctuations in exchange rates and shipping costs that include import taxes and tariffs. Nevertheless, this amount is surprisingly low compared to several of the R1’s counterparts in the humanoid robotics sector, which are significantly more expensive.

Unitree’s flagship H1 robot approaches a hefty price tag of $90,000. Tesla’s upcoming Optimus robot, while not yet available to consumers, is slated to have a starting price below $20,000, but only achievable when Tesla hits an annual production of 1 million units. Meanwhile, robots from Figure AI and Apptronik cost around $50,000 each. The R1’s comparatively low cost essentially positions it as the hatchback among a sea of sedans.

Standing at 4 feet tall and weighing 50 pounds, the R1 features 26 smart joints. Users can communicate with it and issue commands, thanks to Unitree’s advanced large-language multimodal model equipped with voice and image recognition. Aspiring developers can also program it using a software development kit. However, the standout feature is the R1’s physical capabilities. The robot can perform cartwheels, transition from lying down to standing, and run downhill. Describing itself as “born for sport,” Unitree showcases videos of it in action from months back. Handstands and wheel kicks aren’t typically what one expects from a robot priced lower than a used car.

Put It to Work

Despite the impressive movements of the Unitree R1, it lacks articulated hands and its motors have limited torque output. It is not intended to serve as a domestic assistant or manipulate intricate objects. The company markets it as an “intelligent companion” suitable for interaction, research, and software development.

The EDU model (Go2 EDU, G1 EDU) features an Nvidia Jetson Orin module, providing enhanced computational power for AI tasks. This model also includes two degrees of freedom for the head and optional right hands. The target audience for this version includes laboratories and educational institutions. Given the limitations of the basic R1, it primarily aligns with this market segment. While it isn’t a household robot that brews coffee or walks the dog, it serves as a viable option for researchers, labs, and anyone looking to experiment with robotics algorithms on reliable hardware without breaking the bank.

Bringing a relatively capable humanoid robot to global markets at this price does significantly reduce the entry barrier for developers, researchers, and hobbyists. It’s a notable advancement from just a few years ago, even if some may purchase it solely to impress guests in their living rooms with its bow.

This story was originally published by WIRED Italia and translated from Italian.