The Unitree R1 is a cost-effective, ultra-lightweight, and customizable humanoid robot that stands 1.21m tall and weighs approximately 25kg in its default configuration.
The company says pricing starts at $5,900, which is considerably cheaper than the company’s G1 humanoid robot or Elephant Robotics’ Mercuxy X1 wheeled humanoid robot, both of which go for about $16,000 and up. Some cost-cutting measures had to be taken for the lower price, including a slightly shorter design and missing features like working hands… Let’s check out the specifications for more details.
Unitree R1 specifications:
- Computing
- 8-core CPU
- Optional “high-power computing module” for EDU version only: NVIDIA Jetson Orin with 40 to 100 TOPS of AI processing power
- Audio
- 4-Mic Array
- Build-in Speaker
- Camera – Humanoid binocular cameras
- Wireless – WiFi & Bluetooth 5.2
- Degree of Freedom (Total Joints) – 26
- Single Leg Degrees of Freedom – 6
- Single Arm Degrees of Freedom – 5
- Waist Degrees of Freedom – 2
- Head Degrees of Freedom – None (2 for EDU version)
- Dexterous Hand – None (optional for EDU version)
- Joint output bearing – Crossed roller bearings, Double Hook Ball bearings
- Joint motor – Low-inertia, high-speed internal rotor PMSM (permanent magnet synchronous motor) for better response time and heat dissipation
- Maximum Torque of Arm Joint – About 2kg
- Joint Movement Space
- Waist Joint: Y±150° R±30°
- Knee Joint: -10° +146°
- Hip Joint: Y:±157° P:±168° -146° R: -60° +100°
- Electrical Routing – Hollow + Internal Routing
- Joint Encoder – Dual + Single encoder
- Cooling System – Local air cooling
- Power Supply – Lithium battery good for about one hour on a charge
- Dimensions
- 1210 x 357 x 190mm while standing
- Calf + Thigh Length – 675mm
- Forearm + Upper Arm Length: 435 mm
- Weight – About 25kg with battery
The Unitree R1 is clearly not designed to be your next robotic maid since it lacks “dexterity hands” and has limited torque, and the company advertises it as an “intelligent companion” that you can interact with using the built-in microphone array, speaker, and cameras. It can also walk, run, walk on its hands, perform a front handspring, fight (or at least move like a kung fu fighter), lie down after it’s tired, and more.
It might be especially useful for the education and research market, as it’s much more affordable than other humanoid robots of this size. The EDU version (no price given) adds an NVIDIA Jetson Orion module or board, two degrees of freedom for the head, and optional dexterous hands. The warranty is also extended to 12 months from 8 months.
I had a look at the Unitree G1 last year for an article, but I skipped it because I found the documentation to be lacking at the time. There’s no documentation for the R1 just yet, but the G1 documentation has various manuals, tutorials, and QR codes to the Unitree Explore Android (APK) and iOS apps to control the robot, which I assume can also be used with the low-cost R1 robot.
Some of the resources for the company’s robots are open-source, including some SDKs, ROS, manipulation datasets, and more, but it’s unclear which ones are relevant to the R1 from a quick read.
While the company says the Unitree R1 “intelligent companion” starts at $5,900, it’s not yet listed on the shop with other humanoid robots from the company. If you are interested in the EDU version, you’d need to contact the company to purchase a sample. Additional information for both the Standard and EDU models can be found on the product page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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