Unitree has just unveiled a new version of its flagship robot. Called the H2, the 180-centimeter-tall bipedal bot is more versatile and dexterous than the H1, and features improved manipulation and strength.
The China-based robotics firm showcased the new robot in a video (top) that shows it performing elegant dance moves fit for a Broadway musical.
It makes a refreshing change from Unitree’s previous videos showing another of its humanoid robots in constant combat mode, though stick with this latest video and you’ll see the H2 pulling a few kung-fu moves, too.
Whereas the H1 was designed for speed and general agility — it bagged a number of medals at the recent “robot Olympics” held in Beijing — the H2 trades some of that speed for significantly improved dexterity, articulation, and strength, with more joints added to its limbs and an upgraded hip mechanism for more realistic human-like motion.
Unitree’s new H2 robot also features a more humanoid appearance as the team has added a more realistic face and even a few garments (also shown in the video).
The H2 is designed primarily for various tasks in daily life — think customer-facing roles, hospitality jobs, caregiving roles, tasks involving dexterous manipulation, and so on — in a marked shift from the H1’s focus on speed.
Unitree is competing with a growing number of robotics firms around the world to create a humanoid robot that can be mass produced and make a real difference in the workplace or even the home.
American rival Figure recently unveiled its Figure 03 humanoid robot, which is geared toward performing tasks in the home.
A video released by Figure showed its AI-powered robot doing everything from tidying up and watering the plants to folding the laundry and serving drinks.
Figure is also developing a version capable of working in industrial settings, and has already partnered with BMW to test the robot in its factories.
