A new chapter in robotics seems to open up the Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, presenting GD01, a giant manned robot reminiscent of scenes made from science fiction films such as Pacific Rim, Transformers and Alien.
GD01 is characterized by the company as the first manned robot ready for mass production worldwide. The huge exoskeleton has a height of approximately 2.8 metres and allows the operator to "pilot" him from an open cockpit located in the centre of the machine's body.
The robot can move in both a two-legged and four-legged standto adapt to difficult or abnormal soils. In videos released by the company, GD01 even appears to tear down concrete walls, strengthening the image of a machine more like a future war machine than a conventional industrial tool.
The starting price is 3.9 million yuan, that is nearly 500,000 euros, which makes it clear that the product is mainly addressed to specialized markets rather than to the general public. At the same time, the company has not yet announced basic technical characteristics, such as battery autonomy, maximum speed or payload.
From robot dogs to humanoid systems
Unitree Robotics was founded in 2016 in the city of Hangzhou by engineer Wang Xingxing and was originally known for the four-legged "robot-dogs", inspired by Boston Dynamics Spot.
According to market data, the company allegedly holds about 70% of the world market for four-legged robots, while in 2025 it sold more than 5,500 humanoid robots, even surpassing Tesla in this field.
Where could it be used
The company states that GD01 is intended for ‘high value markets“ such as heavy industry businesses, rescue missions and cultural tourism applications.
Theoretically, similar systems could be used in areas of natural disasters, damaged buildings or dangerous industrial environments where access to human or conventional vehicles is difficult.
Despite the company's statements that GD01 is a purely political and civilian instrument, the potential military applications of such a system are considered obvious by market analysts.
The Global "Explosion" of Robotics
The presentation of GD01 comes at a time when the humanoid robot market is experiencing tremendous growth. Tesla develops the humanoid Optimus robot, while Figure AI works with BMW for applications in industrial installations.
At the same time, China is investing dynamically in this sector. According to data invoked by South China Morning Post, Chinese companies are expected to cover nearly 90% of global humanoid robot sales within 2025.
GD01 is already considered one of the most impressive technological achievements of the new era of robotics. However, whether such machines will be able to gain an essential role in everyday life or remain impressive but of limited use of technologies remains an open question.