https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0516/c90000-20457001.html
Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics has release a production-ready manned mecha, whose debut went viral on the internet. In science fiction, mecha is depicted as a giant robot or machine, either piloted or sentient, and is typically a humanoid walking vehicle, often much larger than human beings.
Unitree’s GD01 robot, which can switch between bipedal and quadrupedal modes, is designed as a civilian transport device. It weighs approximately 500 kilograms with a person inside and can maintain stability even when toppling a brick wall.
The mecha is still being refined, and its rollout is aimed at accelerating the application of robotics across industries to enhance human productivity. The development path for the manned vehicle may follow a similar pattern to that of Unitree’s quadruped robots, achieving a technological breakthrough, launching a product and then exploring its applications through market feedback.
According to market observers, the ultimate goal for humanoid robots is to become human-like and fully autonomous. Intermediate products that attract market attention and generate revenue can help the industry accumulate technology, cultivate markets and nurture talent.
It is reported that in 2025, the company’s humanoid robot shipments exceeded 5,500 units, while its global market share for quadruped robots remained stable at between 60 and 70 percent. A recent industry report revealed that Chinese robotics firms emerged as the largest producers of humanoid robots worldwide in 2025, highlighting the country’s rapid rise in this emerging manufacturing sector.
China has a clear national strategy in its quest to become a global robotics powerhouse, with this endeavor boosted by its sophisticated industrial ecosystem, fast iteration cycles and large-scale deployment capacity.
