At Unitree's Hangzhou lab on the Chinese mainland, technicians recently showcased G1, a humanoid robot that sprints at 2.5 m/s before transitioning into a fluid martial arts routine. This blend of speed and agility made CGTN host Mike Walter gasp, "Oh, my gosh," as a robotic dog then surprised the room with a gesture of affection.
Behind these sci-fi moments is China's fast-evolving robotics sector, where over 90% of critical components like motors and controllers are now sourced locally. This localization slashes costs and empowers users to easily add sensors or program new functions, turning these machines from dance instructors into firefighters or even surgical assistants.
Duke Huang, Unitree's Marketing Director, credits the mature supply chain on the Chinese mainland for driving down prices and speeding up iteration cycles. "Our goal is simple," he says, "to bring robots out of the lab and into everyday life." From robotic animals charging into fires to humanoids patrolling hospital wards, Chinese firms are charting a new chapter in intelligent manufacturing and riding the global AI wave.
For young innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, Unitree's progress offers a glimpse into how affordable, programmable robots could reshape industries—from emergency response to eldercare—in the coming years.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
