China’s Humanoid Robot Makes History With Solo Expedition In -53 Degrees

Lost in Space. Doctor Who. Star Trek. Even The Jetsons – TV and movies in the 20th century and beyond were imagined from the point of view of robots, both as threats, like the Daleks of Doctor Who, and as loyal friends, like Rosie in The Jetsons. However, when it comes to robots in real life, many people have mixed feelings. A study by United Robotics found that most people are uncomfortable with robots that resemble humans too closely, which means the Cybermen are out and R2-D2 is in. However, several humanoid robots are currently in development, including ones from companies we’re sure you know, like Tesla and Boston Dynamics.

The new humanoid robot being sold by Chinese company Unitree Robotics might not be as badass as some, though, considering it’s just over four meters tall, or about the size of your eight-year-old. This robot, called G1, recently made history not for its height, but for its long cold journey. The Unitree G1 has taken more than 130,000 steps in the cold, snow-covered Altay, Xinjiang, China, becoming the first humanoid robot reported to complete such a cold walk. The temperature dropped to -47.4 degrees Celsius, or about -53 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that can easily disable your phone or tablet.

The trip was far from publicity; instead, it showed that cold-weather robots are possible and could ultimately reduce the need for humans to work in extreme, often dangerous environments. No one likes the idea of ​​a robot taking over their job, but not many of us enjoy working in cold conditions.

Humans need special machines to survive in extremely low temperatures, and robots are no different. To prepare for its long, snowy journey, the Unitree Robotics G1 robot has put on an orange padded winter coat and plastic sleeves on its legs and feet to help protect its motors, joints, and battery packs. Its journey was pre-planned and well-timed: the G1 drew an Olympic mark nearly 610 feet long and 328 feet wide on the ice, adjusting its balance on uneven terrain.

Depending on its configuration, the G1 has 23 to 43 compact motors and is powered by a quick-discharge battery with two hours of life. To complete its journey, it relies on advanced sensors including 3D LiDAR and depth cameras, a noise-cancelling microphone for voice control, and China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. Its flexible routing software helps it choose the best way to maintain balance while completing its mission. It has a maximum travel speed of about 4.5 miles per hour.

Unitree Robotics may still be learning what the G1 can do, but it’s already on sale, along with other four-legged robots. It starts at about $14,240, and by 2025, the company sold about 4,200 units. Currently, the G1 is used in testing and testing environments, not in factories or workplaces, which is why Unitree conducts tests like this cold weather walk. One day in the not-so-distant future, robots may not be fetching our slippers like Rosie, but instead working in cold storage facilities, clearing parking lots and roads after snow, or conducting scientific research in arctic regions.