World-first humanoid robot

 China’s Unitree G1 becomes world's first humanoid robot with amazing kick-up feat in a new video

The Unitree G1, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese tech firm Unitree Robotics, has become the world’s first to perform a kip-up, while also displaying Tai Chi techniques and maintaining balance when kicked from behind. Unitree uses Nvidia’s Isaac Simulator for virtual training, applying Sim2Real to transfer refined robot skills to real-world applications. The video showcases the speed of humanoid intelligence advancement. Unitree’s latest video from its testing grounds highlights the rapid progress in humanoid intelligence, demonstrating cutting-edge advancements in robotics. The company has been consistently updating the robot’s algorithm, allowing it to learn and perform increasingly sophisticated movements with precision and control. The Chinese firm’s compact G1 robot impressively performs the world’s first kick-up, showcasing remarkable agility and highlighting the system’s advanced capabilities. Last week, Unitree released a video demonstrating the G1’s ability to execute a standing side flip, a feat surpassing the standing backflip performed by the firm’s full-sized humanoid, the H1, in March 2024.

In a 54-second video released on March 21, the G1 is seen flipping up from its back to its feet, mimicking a human’s kip-up with impressive strength, coordination and balance. The video also showcases the robot performing Tai Chi movements in sync with a human partner, and swiftly regaining its balance after being kicked from behind, simulating human-like reflexes. In the video, Unitree’s G1 robot showcased impressive agility and balance. It performed a combat-sweeping kick alongside its trainer and demonstrated competitive Tai Chi moves. The robot also managed to get up from a face-up position, even with a bag obstructing its view. In another test, G1 was kicked from behind while walking but maintained its balance by instinctively adjusting its legs, hands, and body, mimicking human-like reflexes. The demonstration highlights G1’s advanced capabilities in movement and adaptability, signaling significant progress in humanoid robotics.

Unitree emphasized that the footage was recorded in real time, at normal speed, without any AI-generated enhancements. Just days before, the G1 also gained attention for becoming the first humanoid robot to successfully complete a side flip, a feat even more difficult than the backflip achieved by Unitree’s earlier H1 model earlier this month. Training starts in a virtual environment using Nvidia’s Isaac Simulator, where robots learn complex behaviours before physical deployment. A digital twin of the humanoid robot is created using motion capture and video data to observe human actions. According to Unitree, reinforcement learning refines these behaviours in the simulator. Through a process called Sim2Real, the simulated skills are seamlessly transferred to the physical robot, enabling real-world application.

On the hardware side, the G1 features 23 degrees of freedom (DoF), ensuring impressive stability and coordination. Standing 4.33 feet (1.32 meters) tall and weighing 77 lbs (35 kg), it boasts a foldable design for compact storage, reducing to 27 x 17.7 x 11.8 inches. Equipped with advanced technology, G1 includes 3D LiDAR, a RealSense depth camera, and a noise-cancelling microphone array for voice command recognition. Powered by a 9,000-mAh quick-release battery, it offers up to two hours of runtime with fast-swapping capabilities. An 8-core high-performance CPU controls its joints, enabling agile movements and a walking speed of up to 6.5 feet per second (4.5 mph). The H1 had previously gained national attention after performing a traditional folk dance during China’s Lunar New Year Gala, the country’s most-watched television event, broadcast by state-run CCTV.

Developed using LAFAN1 motion capture technology, it integrates an advanced redirection algorithm for optimized motion planning. This algorithm applies interactive mesh processing and inverse kinematics, considering posture constraints, joint articulation and velocity parameters. Unitree has introduced an open-source full-body motion dataset to advance humanoid robotics, focusing on improving motor control and coordination. Compatible with Unitree’s humanoid models like the H1, H1-2, and G1, the dataset enhances movement fluidity for more human-like motions, including dancing and dynamic repositioning. G1 is an upgraded version of the H1, standing 1.3 meters tall and weighing 35 kilograms, smaller and lighter than the 1.8-meter, 47-kilogram H1. It is designed to operate in environments which are difficult for humans to access, with greater agility and flexibility.

Unitree’s humanoid models continue to set industry benchmarks, with the H1 achieving a Guinness World Record in March 2024 by reaching a sprint speed of 7.38 mph (3.3 m/s). The G1, designed for compactness and affordability, provides a versatile research platform, promoting access to advanced robotics in academic and commercial sectors. By making the dataset publicly available, Unitree aims to foster innovation and expand real-world applications of humanoid robotics.