Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally via Alibaba: sources

Unitree Robotics, one of China’s largest robot makers, will debut the R1, its cheapest humanoid model, on the international market via Alibaba Group Holding’s AliExpress marketplace next week, according to two sources familiar with the matter on Thursday.

The launch would cover major overseas markets including North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore, one of the sources said. The product would later be available on other channels, the second person said.

The R1, launched in mainland China last year, is currently Unitree’s cheapest humanoid robot, priced from 29,900 yuan (US$4,370). Marketed as “born for sport”, the R1 is 123cm tall and weighs at least 27kg. It can do cartwheels, lie down, stand up and even run down a hill.

The company has not yet disclosed the R1’s price to be sold abroad.

Next week, Unitree, which opened a store on AliExpress last year, would officially join the site’s Brand+ channel featuring internationally recognised household names and free shipping and returns, the sources said. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.

Neither Unitree nor Alibaba immediately replied to requests for comment.