Unitree unveils world's first manned transforming mecha, starting at NT$18 million
China's Unitree Robotics today unveiled the world's first manned transforming mecha, GD01. It can carry one person and walk, transform into a quadrupedal form, and even punch down a wall while remaining stable. The starting price in China is approximately NT$18 million (RMB 3.9 million), and US$650,000 internationally. Unitree also reminds potential buyers that humanoid robots still have limitations.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 17:04
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 12th) China's Unitree Robotics today unveiled the world's first manned transforming mecha, GD01. It can carry one person and walk, transform into a quadrupedal form, and even punch down a wall while remaining stable. The starting price in China is approximately NT$18 million (RMB 3.9 million); the international starting price is US$650,000. However, Unitree also reminds potential buyers that humanoid robots still have limitations.
While the AMP mechs from the movie Avatar remain in animated form, Chinese manufacturers have rushed to launch manned transforming mechas, but their demonstrated performance is still far from cinematic scenes.
Unitree Robotics stated that GD01 is the world's first mass-production-ready manned transforming mecha, which can transform into a civilian vehicle. Its weight with a person on board is about 500 kg. The starting price in China is RMB 3.9 million (approximately NT$18 million); the international starting price is US$650,000.
Unitree Robotics released a video showing GD01, which is about two adults tall, with Unitree founder Wang Xingxing demonstrating by climbing into the cockpit. The manned GD01 walks steadily; it is also a strongman, capable of punching down a wall, and when exerting force, the body remains stable without shaking.
The video shows that GD01 can lower its body and fold its legs, switching from an upright humanoid state to a quadrupedal form within 5 seconds. Unitree claims that after switching, it can still carry the operator and walk steadily on four legs, adapting to more complex terrain scenarios.
However, Unitree Robotics has not announced the detailed performance and parameters of GD01, including the most critical dexterous hands of the robot; nor has it explained how to control the transforming mecha, as no control components such as joysticks are visible in the cockpit in the video.
At the end of the video, Unitree Robotics emphasized that it has always attached great importance to product safety and information security, and users should not dangerously modify or use the robot; some extreme tests should not be imitated; and the functions of different models and versions vary.
Unitree also reminds users that for humanoid robots, "the world is currently in an early exploration stage, and individual users must thoroughly understand the limitations of humanoid robots before purchasing."
Mainland media Jiemian News reported that with the launch of the GD01 manned transforming mecha, Unitree Robotics has undoubtedly shown more possibilities for the robotics industry. However, considering the high unit price, safety, and application scenario limitations, it will not be easy for this robotic "beast" to become widely popular in the short term. (Editors: Yang Sheng-ru / Chou Hui-ying) 1150512
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 12th) China's Unitree Robotics today unveiled the world's first manned transforming mecha, GD01. It can carry one person and walk, transform into a quadrupedal form, and even punch down a wall while remaining stable. The starting price in China is approximately NT$18 million (RMB 3.9 million); the international starting price is US$650,000. However, Unitree also reminds potential buyers that humanoid robots still have limitations.
While the AMP mechs from the movie Avatar remain in animated form, Chinese manufacturers have rushed to launch manned transforming mechas, but their demonstrated performance is still far from cinematic scenes.
Unitree Robotics stated that GD01 is the world's first mass-production-ready manned transforming mecha, which can transform into a civilian vehicle. Its weight with a person on board is about 500 kg. The starting price in China is RMB 3.9 million (approximately NT$18 million); the international starting price is US$650,000.
Unitree Robotics released a video showing GD01, which is about two adults tall, with Unitree founder Wang Xingxing demonstrating by climbing into the cockpit. The manned GD01 walks steadily; it is also a strongman, capable of punching down a wall, and when exerting force, the body remains stable without shaking.
The video shows that GD01 can lower its body and fold its legs, switching from an upright humanoid state to a quadrupedal form within 5 seconds. Unitree claims that after switching, it can still carry the operator and walk steadily on four legs, adapting to more complex terrain scenarios.
However, Unitree Robotics has not announced the detailed performance and parameters of GD01, including the most critical dexterous hands of the robot; nor has it explained how to control the transforming mecha, as no control components such as joysticks are visible in the cockpit in the video.
At the end of the video, Unitree Robotics emphasized that it has always attached great importance to product safety and information security, and users should not dangerously modify or use the robot; some extreme tests should not be imitated; and the functions of different models and versions vary.
Unitree also reminds users that for humanoid robots, "the world is currently in an early exploration stage, and individual users must thoroughly understand the limitations of humanoid robots before purchasing."
Mainland media Jiemian News reported that with the launch of the GD01 manned transforming mecha, Unitree Robotics has undoubtedly shown more possibilities for the robotics industry. However, considering the high unit price, safety, and application scenario limitations, it will not be easy for this robotic "beast" to become widely popular in the short term. (Editors: Yang Sheng-ru / Chou Hui-ying) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.