Unitree Robotics is boasting its new algorithm update that helps AI-powered humanoid robots learn and perform dance moves with human-like precision and fluidity.
Fresh off a viral performance during China Spring Gala, the leading Chinese robotics firm just shared a short clip of its G1 humanoid robot with improved dancing capabilities. The video was the latest viral moment for Unitree, who’s also known for its quadrupedal robots.
“Unitree G1’s mobility is progressing at a shocking speed,” AI investor Jen Zhu wrote on the X social media platform. “With the cost reduction being the founder’s key KPI, robotics ownership will become a norm soon.”
With the algorithm update, the G1 can adapt and learn dance routines from various sources, including direct human interaction and pre-recorded dance videos. The open-source full-body motion dataset was captured using advanced motion control technology that records movements with high precision.
Unitree trains its robots using Nvidia’s Isaac Simulator. The robots begin their training in a virtual environment, meaning they don’t need to physically exist yet to start learning.
A digital twin of the robot observes human movements through motion/video data and reinforcement learning. The learned behaviors are then transferred to the physical robot via a process called Sim2Real, short for Simulation to Reality.
The G1, which stands 138 centimeters, is a downsized version of Unitree’s full-sized humanoid robot, the H1. Unitree introduced the mass production-ready version of the G1 in August 2024. Pricing starts at $16K.
Update: Unitree is pushing back as skeptics question the authenticity of its new dance demo. CEO XingXing Wang posted a video on RedNote, the Chinese TikTok equivalent, with updated footage of the G1 humanoid dancing in front of a mirror.
The robot continues performing to ambient sound even as a ball is thrown at it and it’s wacked with a stick. The added elements were intended to demonstrate its real-time physical presence and responsiveness. While the new video convinced some critics the performance was real, skepticism is likely to continue as China’s AI-powered robots evolve rapidly.