Humanoid robotics is making great strides and the latest creation from the Chinese company Unitree is tangible proof of this. Its new H1 robot is not only capable of "walking" (so to speak, practically running) at the speed of a human being, i.e. 3,3 meters per second (12 km/h), but it can also lift boxes, go up and down stairs. Even jumping vertically. A set of capabilities that make it one of the most advanced humanoid robots currently in existence.
Unitree: a robotics giant
Unitree is certainly not a new name in the world of robotics. With a market capitalization of around $5 billion, this company has already gained attention for its innovative projects in the field of robots, particularly four-legged ones.
Today, with their new humanoid robot, it seems serious about walking among the giants of the sector (read: Figure, Optimus, Boston Dynamics). Indeed, make a further leap in quality.
Fast like a human, but without breaking a sweat
You know when you try to beat your personal best during a race? Well, this robot could become your ideal training partner... or your most feared rival!
With his speed he is able to march like Alex Schwazer. The difference? He never gets tired. Of course, without energy it shuts down. At the moment. But with his battery (it lasts 2 to 4 hours) he could cover a 10km race in just 50 minutes, without ever slowing down or stopping to catch his breath.
Not just speed: an all-round robot
But don't be fooled: this robot isn't just a sprinter. It's also a real all-rounder. Thanks to his advanced movement abilities, he can lift boxes, go up and down stairs with agility and even perform vertical jumps. In short, if you need a hand to clean the house or tidy up the warehouse, this robot could be your new best friend.
Take a look:
If we want to be picky (or jealous of the fact that this thing can walk faster than us), one detail could make the most demanding people turn up their noses. Which? The hands. They have no fingers, they have no grip, they have nothing. Yes, it can lift objects, but grasping them precisely is a whole different set of hands… er, hands. Yet, knowing the speed with which robotics progresses, I am sure that this obstacle will also soon be overcome. The old men at the club will play cards with us, with Ciccio here.
The future began to walk quickly
The advancement of humanoid robotics, of which this new robot from Unitree is an excellent example, projects us towards an increasingly automated and technological future.
There is still a long way to go before we see humanoid robots walking on our streets or working alongside us also because they cost an arm and a leg (H1 sells for the modest sum of 150.000 euros). The clear sensation, however, is that the road is clear, the direction is precise, the destination is somehow inevitable.
