Watch The ‘World’s Fastest’ Humanoid Robot Run—Yep, They Can Finally Give Chase

Video screenshot via Unitree Robotics

Elon Musk once reassured humans that they would still be quick-footed enough to “run away from” Tesla’s robot, Optimus. Well, we hate to break it to you, but it’s time to start training at the park to pick up your everyday speed.

Shanghai-based Unitree Robotics has unveiled the Unitree H1, which it touts as the world’s fastest full-sized humanoid robot as it clocks in at 7.38 miles per hour. This engineering feat can trot nearly two miles per hour quicker than its closest competitor, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, and twice that of most brisk walkers. 

A powerful design with a peak joint torque of 360 Nm and a top-notch powertrain propel the H1 forward, while advanced balancing mechanisms ensure it doesn’t become a faceplant on uneven terrain.

The H1 can walk, run, jump, carry objects, and even bust a groove with choreographed dance moves. Videos showcase its mobility in various settings, from parks to navigating stairs, hinting at its potential for diverse applications.

It doesn’t just walk the talk, as the H1 is also equipped with notable perception capabilities. A 3D LiDAR sensor and a depth camera grant it 360-degree vision, allowing it to navigate and interact with its surroundings with finesse.

While it stands at a humanlike five feet 11 inches, the H1 is still lighter than its counterparts at about 100 pounds. This relative featherweight characteristic, achieved through a unique design with a hollow torso and limbs, contributes to its agility.

It’s important to note that the record claim comes from the words of Unitree itself, and it hasn’t been verified if the innovation can truly outpace others of its kind. UCLA’s ARTEMIS robot, on the other hand, moves at 2.1 meters (6.89 feet) per second, holding the crown for the world’s quickest walking humanoid robot.

The current version of the H1 might be missing some high-fives—its hands currently resemble wiffle balls. With that, Unitree is developing articulated hands for future iterations, which could significantly improve the H1’s handiness (heh).

All things considered, the H1 also prides itself on its affordability. Estimated to cost between US$90,000 and US$150,000, it’s lighter than some competitors wallet-wise and weight-wise too.

[via Interesting Engineering and Popular Science, video and cover screenshot via Unitree Robotics]