The pricing landscape is shifting, however, with Unitree announcing the R1 — billed as the world’s most affordable humanoid — starting at $6,000

You may have seen this humanoid robot recently waving to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at a majlis.

Or perhaps darting across a street in Dubai. Or even casually going for a jog with human runners at a mall in Dubai.

Meet the Unitree G1. On Wednesday, this surprisingly spry humanoid stopped by Khaleej Times for a special visit, alongside its trusty companion, the Go2 robot dog.

China-based robotics firm Unitree’s Middle East partner Ednex Automation said enquiries for the bots has surged since videos of them went viral. Athul Matheth, regional robotics and automation manager at Ednex, said they’re hoping to convert at least 30 per cent of that buzz into actual sales.

Unitree G1’s meeting with the Dubai Ruler.

Delivery and pricing

It takes about two weeks to deliver the Go2 robo-dog and four weeks for the humanoid, according to Athul. Price tag? The G1 starts at $16,000, while the Go2 starts at $1,600.

Ednex has already sold more than 300 robo-dogs and 100 humanoids in the UAE, most of them purchased by universities specialising in Human Robot Interaction (HRI). “There are a lot of enquiries flooding in,” Athul said. “But many people are surprised at the price tag.”

The pricing landscape is shifting, however, with Unitree announcing the R1 — billed as the world’s most affordable humanoid — starting at $6,000. Production of the robot will begin later this year and the first order will be delivered in December. The company is hoping to showcase this affordable robot in Dubai during Gitex Global this year.

Senthil Kugan, CEO Ednex Automation, said that with their Unitree partnership, they are redefining how humans and machines will collaborate in the future. “Through our Cognitive Physical Interaction System’s intelligent decision making with physical action we will showcase at Gitex how these robots will enable adaptive bionics, augment human capabilities, and power socially intelligent robotics — transforming industries from healthcare to warehouse.”

Features and capabilities

One of the G1’s standout features is its LIDAR system, which allows it to “see” the world differently. “For example, I see you as a human being, but the robot sees you as pixels,” Athul explained. “If the pixels are in a certain shape, it knows you’re human. If it sees a cat with a tail, it knows it’s a cat. If it sees an apple, it’s an apple. The same technology is used in autonomous cars.”

The humanoid also has an inbuilt camera that performs computer vision tasks, enabling it to detect objects more precisely than LIDAR. It comes with speakers and a microphone, allowing it to communicate.

Different versions of the robot are based on add-ons. The U1 model is the base version, while the U2 has more motors for flexibility — useful for complex movements like kung fu, boxing, or dancing. Models from U3 to U10 largely involve changes to the robot’s hands, which can include three-finger grips or sensor-equipped hands that detect heat, pressure, and touch. “If you programme the robot to pick up an egg, the sensors help it adjust force so it doesn’t break it,” Athul said.

Humanoids have an average battery life of two to four hours, while the Go2 can run for up to eight hours and even self-charge.

Everyday uses

About five per cent of robots sold by Ednex are for personal use. “In terms of having something like a pet, the Go2 is the best,” Athul said. “It can follow you, navigate around obstacles, and even be used for home security when you’re away. You can log in remotely, move it around, check surroundings, and use it as a voice intercom.”

Humanoids, meanwhile, can serve as personal assistants. “You can programme it to have conversations, wake you up, hand you a newspaper, and remind you of tasks,” he said. The robots can also work as cashiers, security assessors, or even assemble items — some can solve a Rubik’s cube or operate a power drill.

Safety is built in: sensors detect resistance when the robot moves its arms, allowing it to stop immediately to avoid harming humans.

Capabilities

According to Athul, there are several applications that customers can tap into. “It can do the job of a cashier in a grocery store,” he explained. “For fruits or vegetables, these robots have feedback sensors and can just pick up the bag, check the items, and immediately tag it and put it into your check-out bill.”

The robots can also be programmed to carry out security risk assessments at special gatherings or events, and to perform tasks in harsh weather conditions. Some versions can “solve a Rubik’s cube and even pick up a power drill and drill a screw,” he added.

Source: Khaleej Times

Published: 14 August 2025