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Unitree developing AI system to let humanoid robots improve themselves

2:27 PM ETConfirmed

Technology Desk

In Short: Chinese firm Unitree is developing an AI system that allows its humanoid robots to improve themselves independently, according to the South China Morning Post.

Chinese firm Unitree is developing an AI system that allows its humanoid robots to improve themselves independently, according to the South China Morning Post. The Hangzhou-based company aims to reduce the need for manual programming, turning AI model advances into real-world robotics capabilities.

The G1, a humanoid robot built by Unitree, was showcased at the Hannover Messe, one of the world's largest industrial trade shows, controlled remotely by Pedro Zheng, the Unitree sales manager.

Unitree's founder, Wang Xingxing, said the company wants to create an automated cycle that could exponentially accelerate the development of robotics algorithms. While humans could still help assess performance and provide feedback, the ultimate goal is to create an automated cycle.

Unitree unveiled the H2-X Kung Fu Legend Guardian, a humanoid robot designed for security and emergency response, at the Hannover Messe. The H2-X can perform martial arts moves, throw strikes, block attacks, and hold balance poses, powered by an AI system called UnifoLM-X2-1.0.

The H2-X was developed on Unitree's H2 platform, which stands about 182 centimeters (6 feet) tall and weighs roughly 70 kilograms (154 pounds). According to Wang, the G1 robot has had roughly 10,000 to 20,000 units roll off the production line since its launch in May 2024, making it the world's best-selling humanoid robot.

Unitree's H2-X can stand for eight hours but has not confirmed its specifications or battery performance under load. The robot is designed to lift cars and help put out fires during accidents, showcasing advanced physical performance.

Unitree filed for a $610 million IPO with the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Friday, seeking to raise 4.2 billion yuan (approximately $610 million), a defining moment for the industry.

The G1 robot can walk, squat, wave, balance, kick, and perform athletic tricks like cartwheels, according to Unitree’s own demos. The company’s H2 platform is designed to serve as a security guard, emergency responder, and patrol robot.

A Unitree spokesperson told the BBC, “The AI simply has not yet reached a breakthrough moment,” highlighting the ongoing challenges in developing advanced humanoid robots.

The H2-X's impressive Kung Fu moves and rescue demonstrations have sparked discussions about the potential of humanoid robots in various applications, including security and emergency response.

The development of self-improving AI systems in humanoid robots is a significant step towards achieving mass adoption, as highlighted by Rick Balzano in an interview with Interesting Engineering.

Background

What's confirmed

• Unitree unveils H2-X Kung Fu Legend Guardian, sparking discussion on potential of humanoid robots serving as security guards - Global Times --> BUSINESS / COMPANY Unitree unveils H2-X Kung Fu Legend Guardian, sparking discussion on potential of humanoid robots serving as security guards By Global Times Published: Oct 22, 2026 04:59 PM Unitree's H2-X "Kung Fu Legend Guardian."
• Unitree said the H2-X can stand for eight hours but has not confirmed its specifications or battery performance under load.

What's still developing

• Unitree is just one of dozens of companies around the world developing robots that have a human form.
• A Weibo netizen named Wangxiumeihui said on Thursday that the latest application in a rescue scenario is "very practical."
• We discuss embodied AI, simulation, training data, human oversight, and why safety could ultimately determine whether humanoid robots achieve mass adoption. 00:01.89 \nInteresting Engineering \nRick, thanks for joining us.
• And then 01:52.84 \nRick Balzano \nkind of getting into um even a deeper layer layer of your question is really just around like how physical behavior actually scales, which we know is not necessarily easy. 02:04.28 \nRick Balzano \nright so um it can’t be scraped or easily synthesized has to be captured for the most part in like real world egocentric data settings right so um Yeah, I mean… 02:16.04 \nRick Balzano \nembodied ai what does it actually mean for an AI system to to understand and operate in the physical world?
• The Hangzhou-based company released the promotional video on October 21, presenting the machine as a “guardian” robot capable of intervening in dangerous situations.
• The introverted founder, who prominently appeared at a 2025 business symposium hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, became phenomenally wealthy after Unitree launched an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market on August 19.
• The Caijing Magazine feature published on August 31, titled “The King of Unitree,” was translated into English by ChinaTalk, a US-based think tank and media organization, on September 10.
• Vogue World in Milan put robots on the runway during the show’s segment titled "The Age of Intelligence" at the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II on September 22. 1news.az, citing Vogue, said the program consisted of five thematic parts and that dancing robots appeared on the runway as part of a performance dedicated to the interaction of fashion and modern technology.
• They performed during Act IV titled "The Age of Intelligence." 10 of 12 outlets skipped it: vogue World credited OpenAI as providing additional support.
• Are we getting scaredly closer to Terminator robots?
• From spinning kicks and flips to withstanding drops from significant heights, the robot appears designed to show how advanced robotic systems can combine balance, coordination and power.
• The race to mass-produce humanoid robots accelerated dramatically this week as Unitree filed for a $610 million IPO, UBTech locked in Siemens to hit 10,000 units, and Tesla confirmed Optimus Gen 3 production starts this summer.

Sources

• BBClink
• Global Timeslink
• Interesting Engineeringlink
• South China Morning Postlink
• The Conversationlink
• Interestingengineeringlink
• Ars Technicalink
• Newscordlink
• Techrepubliclink
• Techiexpertlink
• Inlink
• Indiatodaylink
• Bloglink
• Thenewslink
• Wikipedia — background on South China Morning Post link
• Unitree Robotics — video link