Finally! A Humanoid Robot for 150,000 CZK is Here and It's a Game Changer

The era when humanoid robots were solely the domain of research labs and sci-fi movies is coming to an end. With the arrival of the Unitree R1 model, this technology is becoming accessible to schools, companies, and tech enthusiasts. For a price comparable to a used car, one can acquire a full-fledged robot that, while not yet capable of household chores, opens the door to experimenting with future technologies. This moment represents a significant breakthrough in the accessibility of advanced robotics.

Revolution in Price and Accessibility

The main breakthrough is the price. While recently humanoid robot prices ranged from hundreds of thousands to millions of CZK, the Unitree R1 enters the market with a price tag of 150,000 CZK. For comparison, the older Unitree G1 model cost 400,000 CZK, the price of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot is estimated to be in the millions, and Tesla hopes its Optimus will be priced under half a million CZK. This price drop transforms humanoid robots from exclusive goods for researchers into accessible equipment for a much wider range of users, similar to what once happened with personal computers like the Apple II.

What Can Unitree R1 Do?

It’s not just a dummy. The R1 is a 121 cm tall and 25 kg heavy robot equipped with 26 joints, allowing it to move its legs, arms, torso, and neck. This enables it to not only walk and run but also maintain balance, turn in place, or even do a somersault. Its movement appears surprisingly natural.

The robot is equipped with artificial intelligence, cameras, and microphones, allowing it to understand voice commands, engage in basic conversation, and recognize objects, faces, and its surroundings. A key feature is its open developer interface, which allows users to program their own functions and movements. Thus, it could theoretically assist in a warehouse, deliver materials on a construction site, or sort goods, albeit currently slower than a human.

The Catch and Main Purpose

The low price required several compromises. Battery life on a single charge is approximately one hour, after which the battery must be replaced or the robot recharged. The hands in the current version are primarily designed for gestures and simple movements, not for fine motor skills like preparing coffee or folding laundry.

It is crucial to understand that the R1 is not designed as a ready-made household servant. Its main strength lies in serving as an open platform for developers, schools, and businesses. It is a tool for learning, experimenting, and gathering valuable experience in an area that will shape industry and society in the coming years.

The Future is Here

Progress in robotics is not just about price. Artificial intelligence, such as the ERA 42 model, allows robots to better understand context and connect what they see and hear with user instructions. Simultaneously, open-source hardware is developing, for example, robotic arms with eight axes of movement. The first generation of these accessible robots are already being tested in the real world – from delivering flowers to managing traffic in Shanghai. It’s no longer theoretical sci-fi, but a reality that is gradually becoming a common part of our lives.

We stand on the threshold of a world where a robot will not be an exceptional luxury, but a common tool. This brings with it questions that we, as a society, will soon have to answer. Are we ready to accept a robot as a colleague, helper, or even a companion?

What would you teach your robot first?