TMTPOST -- Unitree Robotics, a rising star in the robotics industry, is now turning its attention to the upper body of humanoid robots, signaling a significant shift in its technological focus.

The company has launched a new self-developed "dexterous hand" project and is recruiting talents, including AI algorithm engineers, full-stack mechatronics engineers, and mechanical engineers. Unitree Robotics offers monthly salaries of over 65,000 yuan (US$ 9,155) to recruit talents for positions such as AI large model engineers, with annual compensation surpassing 800,000 yuan.  

An industry insider told AsianFin that Unitree Robotics had previously laid  emphasis on lower-body motion control, with limited investment in AI.

The newly initiated "dexterous hand" project marks a strategic pivot. "I'm not saying lower-body motion control isn't important—it's still very important. Achieving such excellent motion control requires a solid hardware foundation, which demonstrates Unitree's impressive capabilities," the insider noted. However, they emphasized that advancements in dexterous hands and large models are crucial for the future development of humanoid robots.  

Founded in August 2016, Unitree Robotics is the world's first company to publicly retail high-performance quadruped robots and the earliest to achieve industrial applications. Its product lineup includes consumer-grade and industry-grade legged and humanoid robots, all independently developed, manufactured, and sold. The company's quadruped robots currently hold over 60% of the global market share.  

In August 2023, Unitree Robotics transitioned from quadruped robots to humanoid robot development, unveiling its first general-purpose humanoid robot, the H1, priced at $90,000. In May 2024, the company introduced its second-generation humanoid robot, the G1, with a starting price of 99,000 yuan—an over 80% reduction compared to the H1.

In February 2025, Unitree Robotics' H1 robots made a splash on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, where they performed a traditional Chinese Yangko Dance. Following the event, related products sold out quickly, with rental prices soaring to 15,000 yuan per day and second-hand units reselling for up to 120,000 yuan.  

Unitree Robotics is now grouped with other prominent Hangzhou-based companies, including DeepSeek, Game Science, the developer of the blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong, BrainCo Technology, which specializes in brain-computer interfaces, DEEP Robotics, which focuses on intelligent robot manufacturing, and ManyCore, a cloud-based design software developer. Together, they are dubbed the "Six Little Dragons of Hangzhou." Meanwhile, Wang Xingxing, the CEO and founder of Unitree Robotics, has emerged as a representative figure among China's key private enterprises.  

Despite the success of its H1 and G1 robots, which excel in lower-body motion control with capabilities like spinning kicks and somersaults, Unitree Robotics has yet to fully integrate advanced upper-body features. The G1, for instance, does not come with end-effectors by default, requiring developers to add structural components or grippers to enhance functionality.  

The dexterous hand project aims to address this gap. Dexterous hands are highly precise robotic devices with multiple joints and fingers, capable of replicating intricate human hand movements such as gripping, pinching, and tool operation. Equipped with sensors like force and tactile sensors, they enable precise control and have broad applications in industrial production, medical surgery, scientific research, and daily life services.  

However, industry insiders note that current dexterous hands are still in their early stages, with limited degrees of freedom compared to human hands. Most commercially available models have only five or six active degrees of freedom, far fewer than the over 20 degrees of freedom in human fingers.  

Wang has expressed optimism about the future of humanoid robots, saying that AI-driven advancements are progressing faster than expected. He predicts that by the end of 2025, AI-powered humanoid robots will reach a new scale, with basic applications in the service and industrial sectors becoming feasible. However, household applications may take longer due to higher safety requirements.  

Goldman Sachs forecasts that global shipments of humanoid robots will reach 1.4 million units by 2035, with the market size expanding to about $38 billion. The industrial applications are expected to be realized between 2024 and 2027, while the time will be between 2028 and 2031 for humanoid robots to hit the consumer market.

(Note: 1 USD equals 7.25 yuan)