A spinning kick, a clear hit, and a shattered watermelon. That temporary second has turned China’s humanoid robotic into a worldwide speaking level.
Chinese robotics agency Unitree has launched new coaching footage of its newest humanoid robotic, the H2, displaying simply how far its motion and steadiness capabilities have come. The video, uploaded to the corporate’s official YouTube channel on Jan. 4, highlights the robotic performing a sequence of demanding martial arts-style strikes.
The standout second comes when the H2 launches right into a 360-degree aerial spinning kick, placing and smashing a watermelon suspended from the ceiling earlier than touchdown easily on its ft. The robotic additionally delivers highly effective kicks to sandbags weighing 30 kilograms and 60 kilograms, all whereas sustaining steadiness and posture.
During one sequence, Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing is seen stepping again because the robotic launches ahead, a second that has develop into broadly shared alongside the watermelon smash.
What makes the H2 completely different
The H2 is Unitree’s next-generation humanoid robotic, first unveiled in October final 12 months. It stands about 180 centimeters tall and weighs roughly 70 kilograms, giving it near-human proportions. Visually, it incorporates a extra human-like face and refined physique design in comparison with earlier fashions.
Under the floor, the robotic is constructed with 31 joints unfold throughout its shoulders, torso, arms, and legs. This is a rise from the corporate’s earlier R1 mannequin, which had 26 joints. The added joints are designed to enhance flexibility, vary of movement, and total management throughout quick and forceful actions.
According to Unitree, the purpose of those coaching movies is to check steadiness, collision response, and coordinated movement throughout the whole physique underneath excessive situations.
More than a viral stunt
While the watermelon kick has captured public consideration, the corporate frames the demonstration as a technical stress check moderately than a efficiency meant purely for present. High-speed spins, midair strikes, and heavy impacts place intense calls for on sensors, actuators, and real-time management programs — areas the place humanoid robots have historically struggled.
Recent footage has additionally hinted at Unitree’s broader improvement objectives, together with improved dexterous fingers and teleoperation programs that permit human operators to information the robotic utilizing wearable controls or mixed-reality gadgets.
The H2’s newest showcase comes as competitors in humanoid robotics continues to warmth up, with firms world wide racing to show quicker, stronger, and extra agile machines. Unitree’s deal with high-impact, dynamic actions units its strategy other than slower, extra cautious demos seen up to now.
Curious the place humanoid robots are headed subsequent? Explore how Chinese researchers are utilizing digital pores and skin to provide robots human-like reflexes.
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