
Chinese robotics star Unitree opens Hangzhou factory amid humanoid frenzy
The factory, launched earlier this year, spans over 10,000 square metres, and it is expected to support the company's expansion over the next three to five years, according to the company.
'We won't expand production blindly,' Unitree's marketing director Huang Jiawei told the South China Morning Post in a recent interview. 'Instead, we'll enhance capacity by increasing working hours and efficiency.'
The move was supported by the municipal government, which helped the company locate a plant just a 15-minute drive from Unitree's headquarters in China's eastern Zhejiang province.
As one of China's most successful robotics start-ups, Unitree's supply chain management and production capacity are seen as key advantages that set it apart in an industry where many peers struggle to commercialise their products, even as competition heats up in the domestic market. The company's Go2 robotic dog starts at US$1,600 (RM7,004), while its G1 humanoid starts at US$16,000 (RM70,048).
The company develops core components such as motors in-house, works closely with various suppliers and handles final assembly itself. Earlier this year, Unitree's rising popularity spurred excitement in China's stock market, boosting shares of suppliers associated with the company, dubbed 'Unitree-concept stocks'.
Founded in 2016 by robotics enthusiast Wang Xingxing, the company first became known for its quadruped robots before moving into humanoids ahead of an ongoing industry boom aided by the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Unitree is continuously investing in AI as the industry looks to give robots a 'brain', Huang said. He added that among the company's growing workforce of around 500 people, more than half are in research and development.
Unitree became a household name almost overnight in February after its humanoid robots performed a dance at China's Spring Festival Gala. The company's profile further surged that month when 35-year-old Wang was among an elite group of tech executives – including Huawei Technologies founder Ren Zhengfei, Alibaba Group Holding founder Jack Ma and Tencent Holdings founder Pony Ma Huateng – at a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Its profile has also risen alongside a handful of other start-ups based in Hangzhou, home to tech giants Alibaba and NetEase. The so-called six little dragons, which includes AI phenom DeepSeek, have helped shine a spotlight on the city as a centre of innovation amid the escalating US-China tech war. Alibaba owns the Post.
Unitree's headquarters has become much busier following its rise to fame. During a recent midweek visit by the Post, staff said that the building had seen hundreds of visitors daily in recent months, including distributors, journalists, government officers and business partners. Last Wednesday, several groups of guests with badges could be seen in the company's modest display room on the second floor. A sign on the first floor warned, 'Unitree does not provide paid tours. Please beware of scams!'
The company remains highly protective of its employees. Research staff rarely give public interviews, and office space is strictly off-limits to visitors. Another bold warning greets visitors at the entrance of the office area: 'Severe Warning! Unauthorised persons are strictly forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted for theft of trade secrets!'
'All this attention adds more pressure, pushing our team to uphold even higher standards for products,' said Huang, the marketing director.
He warned that consumers could face disappointment from the current state of the technology. 'Public expectations can become unrealistic,' he said. 'Robots are not intelligent enough.'
Unlike some of its rivals, Unitree has not promoted its robots as options for handling household chores such as cleaning or providing home care.
'We're not at that stage yet,' Huang said. 'It will take at least another five to 10 years before robots enter household scenarios.'
On Saturday, Beijing hosted a humanoid robot half-marathon, where Tien Kung Ultra, a robot developed by Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre and backed by robot maker UBTech Robotics, won with a finish time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds – roughly two-and-a-half times longer than the top human male runner.
During the live-streamed race, a Unitree robot fell shortly after the start. In response, Unitree clarified it did not officially participate in the marathon. 'Several independent teams used Unitree robots with their own algorithms. Performance varied significantly depending on different operators and developers,' the company said in a statement.
Before the marathon, Unitree staff told the Post that while the company lacks the bandwidth to join every event, it views such competitions positively as drivers of industry growth. – South China Morning Post
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
39 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
Chinese startup brings cutting-edge AI glasses to the masses
Zhu Mingming, founder and CEO of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based technology company, poses for a photo at Rokid's flagship store in Yujiang District of Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) NANCHANG (July 28): A decade after founding Rokid, entrepreneur Zhu Mingming turned heads at an economic forum in February with a simple remark: 'My speech is in my glasses, so I don't need a transcript.' Standing casually behind the podium in a hooded sweatshirt, Zhu confidently told the audience he was using a smart ring to flip through virtual slides on his AI glasses. Within hours, the clip went viral on Chinese social media, sparking a wave of inquiries from viewers eager to know where they could buy the product. Zhu, known as 'Misa' in tech circles, recently showcased the same model, Rokid Glasses, at an experience store in his hometown, Yujiang District of Yingtan City, in east China's Jiangxi Province, a region long regarded as a trade and production hub for eyewear. What made that February moment stand out wasn't just the technology; it was how seamlessly the glasses blended into everyday life. 'While I'm speaking here, I'm also checking my WeChat messages on a virtual screen right in front of my eyes, and you probably didn't even notice,' he said at the store. 'In the past, many people wanted smart glasses, but they were either too bulky, too clunky, or their AI capabilities were not strong enough, so in the end, they were little more than a Bluetooth headset,' Zhu said. Unlike those early models, the new-generation Rokid Glasses weigh just 49 grams, resemble regular eyewear, and offer robust battery life. Zhu credits much of this progress to rapid AI advancements in recent years. Zhu encouraged visitors at the store to try on the smart glasses. 'Give them a try, and you'll decide for yourself whether they could become an everyday device like smartphones in the future,' he said. 'A good product should first be a good pair of glasses,' Zhu added. 'Then a good headset, a good camera, and ultimately, a great AI device.' In addition to browsing social media and watching videos, the device can project real-time captions, translations, navigation prompts, and AI-generated answers directly onto the lens, powered by leading Chinese AI models such as DeepSeek and Doubao. With simple voice commands, users can ask for directions, identify objects, receive call notifications, or even solve math problems, without ever reaching for their phone. A staff member demonstrates a pair of smart glasses developed by Hangzhou-based technology company Rokid at Rokid's flagship store in Yujiang District of Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) 'It's rare, even globally, for a company to develop such a highly integrated and fully functional product in such a lightweight form,' Zhu said. 'That's only possible because we've stayed committed to this path for the past 10 years.' Around 90 percent of Rokid's funding goes into research and development (R&D), which makes it a highly R&D-driven company even by global standards. 'Our booth is very popular in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,' Zhu said. He noted that Rokid aims to make smart glasses an affordable everyday tech product. Priced at around 3,000 yuan, they are far more accessible than many international models that cost over 10,000 yuan. While similar products from other companies failed to win over consumers, Rokid is now facing the challenge of fulfilling orders on time, with over 300,000 units already sold. 'We didn't expect to be overwhelmed this quickly,' Zhu admitted. He is convinced that smart glasses are set to become the next transformative platform after smartphones. However, he acknowledges the industry is still in its early stages, with the main challenge being educating the market to attract more users. With a series of Rokid's innovative products in tow, Zhu is taking his next big step in his hometown. Yujiang is home to over 260 eyewear companies and ranks among China's top five optical manufacturing bases. But most of its industry remains focused on trade and conventional manufacturing. Rokid has signed a strategic agreement with the local government and plans to establish a production base, integrate the local supply chain, and forge cooperation with local colleges to train a new generation of technicians. 'The talent is already here,' Zhu said. 'People in Yujiang understand eyewear. Now we just need to help them understand smart glasses.' Zhu acknowledged the journey won't be quick, but he remains optimistic. 'If we can help transform the local traditional eyewear industry into a more innovative one, that would be the most rewarding outcome of all.' – Xinhua AI glasses artificial intelligence China technology


The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesia's first high-speed railway is now transforming inbound travel and driving economic growth
JAKARTA (Xinhua): Since the launch of commercial operations in October 2023, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, locally known as Whoosh, has ushered in a new era of modern transportation for Indonesia. As South-East Asia's first high-speed rail system, Whoosh connects Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, with Bandung in West Java, drastically reducing travel time from over three hours to just 46 minutes. This leap in mobility has delivered more than just faster commutes. It has redefined the travel experience for millions of Indonesians and brought new momentum to economic activity along the railway corridor. ECONOMIC BENEFITS According to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), the Indonesian-Chinese railway joint venture has safely carried over 10.6 million passengers on 31,614 trips as of July 25, covering more than 4.9 million kilometers since its commercial operations began. With up to 62 daily train services and a peak daily ridership of 26,800, public enthusiasm continues to rise. For Sophia, a 37-year-old mother of two who commutes between Jakarta and Bandung every weekend, the benefits are deeply personal. "Whoosh has become a proper mode of transportation. Time is valuable; we shouldn't have to spend so much of it on the road," she said. Beyond convenience, Whoosh has also triggered notable economic benefits. Business owners like 45-year-old Akhyar, who runs a cake shop near Bandung's train station, have witnessed a sharp rise in customers, many of whom are tourists brought in by the high-speed service. Similarly, the Indonesian Travel Agent Association reported growing demand for group tours using Whoosh, especially among students and corporate travelers. "It helps promote Jakarta as a tourist destination, especially for ASEAN visitors," said the association's Chairwoman, Pauline Suharno, using the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. "Among ASEAN countries, only Indonesia has a high-speed train." According to Segara Research Institute Executive Director Piter Abdullah, Whoosh is not only a game changer for mobility, but a catalyst for new economic activity. "Mobility is a driver of the economy. The growing number of passengers shows that people are increasingly recognizing the value of time efficiency and travel comfort. High-speed rail can trigger the emergence of new economic centers," he said. This project represents a crucial first step in developing rail-based transportation across Java Island, unlocking new zones of productivity and investment, he added. ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY The areas surrounding Whoosh's stations, such as Tegalluar, Padalarang, and Karawang, are already seeing the rise of new residential communities, commercial centers, and upgraded infrastructure. Halim Station, near Jakarta's international airport, is evolving into a critical intermodal hub, supporting seamless air-rail connectivity. "Whoosh has significantly enhanced regional connectivity and land value," said KCIC's Corporate Communications Manager Emir Monti. "It's also generated thousands of jobs and supported the growth of a full high-speed rail industry chain in Indonesia." Emir believed that Whoosh is not just a transport upgrade, but a strategic leap in Indonesia's development. "We didn't expect such a high level of enthusiasm at the beginning. But Whoosh has truly improved connectivity between Jakarta and Bandung and brought real convenience to the public," he said. He also emphasized the project's role as a model for international collaboration and local capacity building. "This isn't just about importing equipment; it's about building an integrated system. Through our joint venture with Chinese partners, we've transferred technology, trained local talent, and developed Indonesian professionals in operations, maintenance, and management," he said. Today, all train drivers and mechanics are Indonesians, a testament to the project's commitment to localization and sustainability. "From technology to management, our local teams are growing through hands-on experience," said Emir. "Whoosh didn't just bring infrastructure. It built a foundation for future Indonesian expertise." GROWING EXPECTATION According to Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, president director of KCIC, Whoosh is the first full-scale application of Chinese high-speed rail technology abroad, making Indonesia the first country outside China to operate trains at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour. "Chinese high-speed rail technology is truly advanced. They're already developing trains that can reach 450 kilometers per hour. So I think it's natural that China is the technological benchmark for Indonesia's high-speed rail development," he said. He also noted that Indonesia's success with Whoosh has drawn attention from other Southeast Asian nations eager to replicate its achievement. "Indonesia is now seen as a model for high-speed rail development in ASEAN," he said. As demand continues to climb and public satisfaction remains high, expectations are rising. German expatriate Ali Kurtze, a long-time Jakarta resident and self-proclaimed loyal Whoosh rider, expressed hope for further expansion. "Fast, punctual, comfortable, I love this route. I hope the high-speed rail will one day extend to Surabaya or even Sumatra," said Kurtze. "That would completely transform Indonesia's transportation landscape." -- Xinhua


The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
US Treasury chief says trade talks with China to continue this week in Sweden
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that he would meet his Chinese counterparts in Sweden this week to continue trade talks between the two countries, suggesting the current pause in sky-high tariffs aimed at each other could be extended. Bessent told Fox Business that he would speak with Chinese officials on Monday and Tuesday for a third round of high-level talks in Stockholm – following face-to-face discussions he held with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva and London – to work out a likely extension of the pause beyond mid-August. Beijing has yet to confirm the Stockholm talks, but Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a post on X on Tuesday that his country would play host to the US-China negotiations next week. After US President Donald Trump's announcement of 'reciprocal' tariffs on April 2, Washington and Beijing raised punitive levies on each other's exports to triple-digit percentage levels. Since then, trade relations have thawed somewhat as the countries have engaged in talks, marked by a June telephone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Monday Bessent said that the talks were 'in a good place', a sanguine take on negotiations echoed by Beijing's embassy in Washington, which said 'new progress' had been made in resolving each other's economic and trade concerns. Separately on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that Xi has invited him to visit Beijing and that he would accept. He added that exports of rare earth and magnets to the US may no longer be a thorny issue. 'President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not too distant future, a little bit out, but not too distant. And I've been invited by a lot of people, and we'll make those decisions pretty soon,' he said during a meeting in the Oval Office with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. 'We have a very good relationship. In fact, the magnets, which is a little complex piece of material, but the magnets are coming out very well. They're sending them in record numbers. We're getting along with China very well,' said Trump. In a possible signal of improving ties, China's market administration watchdog said earlier on Tuesday that it had suspended its anti-trust probe into American multinational chemical company DuPont. Beijing launched its investigation into DuPont in early April, after Trump began slapping new levies on Chinese goods. Bessent said on Monday that he hoped to raise in future talks the issue of China's purchases of Russian and Iranian oil. Beijing's embassy in Washington responded to those comments by saying that 'the international community, including China, has conducted normal cooperation with Iran and Russia within the framework of international law. 'This is reasonable and lawful without harm done to any third party, and deserves to be respected and protected,' said the embassy. China observers said that Beijing would oppose Washington's bid to link tariff talks to Chinese relations with US adversaries. 'Beijing sees its ties and transactions with Russia and Iran as just and fair and conforms to international laws and may be unlikely to make compromises for the sake of US lowering tariffs,' said Xin Qiang, an international studies professor at Fudan University in Shanghai. 'Beijing is mindful not to fall into the trap as US uses tariffs to pursue its geopolitical agenda.' During the Fox Business interview Bessent also mentioned his expectations for China's government to rein in manufacturing overcapacity and launch structural adjustments to stimulate domestic consumption to benefit American manufacturing. 'President Trump is remaking the US into a manufacturing economy. If we could do that together – more U.S. manufacturing, more Chinese consumption – that would be a home run for the Chinese Communist Party and the global economy,' he said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST