Chinese Company's Electric-powered Humanoid Robot H1 Does a Backflip, Sets Speed Records

A Chinese company's electric-powered humanoid robot, H1, has accomplished a major milestone by successfully performing a backflip.

Chinese tech insiders believe that this breakthrough is a watershed moment in the development of electric-powered humanoid machines and demonstrates China's ambition to lead the robotics industry (via South China Morning Post).

Humanoid Robot Performs An Impressive Backflip

Developed by Unitree, a startup based in Hangzhou, China, the H1 robot showcased its remarkable capabilities in a recently released video. In the footage, the H1 robot draws its arms back to build momentum, propels itself upwards, executes a mid-air flip, and lands smoothly in the same spot.

This feat demonstrates the robot's exceptional posture control and mastery of intricate movements, touching on several demanding areas of technology.

What sets the H1 apart from its predecessors is its exclusive use of pure electric motors for propulsion. Unlike hydraulic systems employed by previous humanoid robots like Boston Dynamics' Atlas, electric motors offer higher control precision and clearer force feedback. Additionally, electric motors contribute to the robot's agility, making it capable of navigating uneven terrain with ease.

Standing nearly 180cm tall and weighing around 47kg, the H1 robot is equipped with advanced technology, including 3D LIDAR and an Intel RealSense D435i depth camera, enabling it to capture high-precision spatial data in real-time.

Unitree also wows with its in-house development and production of all core components of the robot, positioning it as China's first full-sized, all-purpose humanoid robot capable of running.

(Photo : Image via Unitree)

China's Unitree achieves a robotics milestone with its electric humanoid robot, H1, executing a flawless backflip and setting record speeds.

Unitree's H1 Sets Record Robot Speeds

Popular Mechanics reports that Unitree's H1 has also set records in speed, achieving a remarkable running speed of 3.3 meters per second (7.4 mph), surpassing previous benchmarks set by Boston Dynamics' Atlas. Despite this achievement, the H1's speed still falls short of human capabilities, with sprinter Usain Bolt clocking in at 27.33 mph during a 100-meter race.

The successful demonstration of the H1's capabilities highlights China's aggressive push in the field of robotics, supported by both government initiatives and private enterprise innovation.

The implications of humanoid robots like the H1 extend beyond novelty, with diverse applications across various sectors such as disaster response, healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment.

These robots offer the potential for safer and more efficient human-robot collaboration, performing tasks in environments hazardous to humans and providing services that require human-like interaction.

(Photo : kiquebg from Pixabay)

China has figured out a quick way to fill the gaps in its labor force: deploying humanoid robots that will help thousands of households in the future.

Many prominent tech firms have recently focused their efforts on helping develop humanoid robots. Recently, OpenAI reportedly collaborated with humanoid robot manufacturer Figure to develop AI-powered workplace robots.

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