On May 12, Unitree Robotics officially unveiled the world's first mass-produced manned transforming mecha, the GD01, with a starting price of RMB 3.9 million. This steel colossus, which combines manned operation, autonomous transformation, and immense power, marks a promising new phase in robotics research, development, and application.
According to Unitree Robotics, the GD01 mecha can not only transform but also serve as a civilian vehicle, with a weight of approximately 500 kg when carrying a passenger. Visually, the mecha stands about 1.6 times the height of an average adult when upright, creating a striking visual impact.
A video released by Unitree Robotics shows the company's founder, Wang Xingxing, personally participating in the mecha demonstration. Standing next to the mecha, he reached only to its waist. When he climbed aboard and sat in the pilot's cockpit in the middle of the hull, the stark contrast in size between the massive steel frame and the human operator vividly demonstrated the mecha's enormous scale.
The demonstration video provides a preliminary showcase of the GD01's core capabilities. In upright mode, the mecha can walk steadily like a humanoid robot, with relatively smooth and natural limb movements. In terms of power output, the GD01 is a true "iron giant"; it can knock down a solid brick wall with a single punch, remaining stable and unshaken while exerting force.
Its transformation capabilities are particularly noteworthy. By lowering the torso, folding the legs, and adjusting its center of gravity, the mecha can seamlessly transition from an upright humanoid stance to a quadrupedal form in just a few seconds. The transformation process is smooth and requires no additional assistance. After the switch, it can still carry an operator and walk steadily on all fours, making it suitable for a wider range of complex terrains.
At the end of the video, Unitree Robotics emphasized that they have always placed great importance on product safety and information security. They urge all users not to modify or use the robots in dangerous ways; certain extreme tests should not be imitated; and features may vary across different models and versions.
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