Unitree Robotics unveiled the GD01, a 500‑kg rider‑carries robot that flips between bipedal and quadrupedal gaits. The machine, priced at $537,000 (RMB 3.9 million), can tilt from vertical to horizontal, offering stability on uneven terrain.

During a May 12 Weibo demo, CEO Wang Xingxing piloted the GD01, demolishing a brick wall to prove its structural integrity. The robot’s design marks a shift from Unitree’s agile robot‑dog line to a heavier, vehicle‑like platform.

Targeted at corporate demos, theme parks, and industrial operators, the GD01 sits in ultra‑luxury territory. No U.S. or U.K. distributors are announced, and European safety regulations remain unaddressed, limiting immediate export.

Unitree’s concurrent $610 million Shanghai IPO aims to solidify its Asian presence before pursuing Western markets. The GD01’s commercial viability hinges on regulatory approvals and distribution deals outside China.