China’s Unitree to debut cheapest humanoid robot globally on Alibaba site: sources

Unitree Robotics, one of China’s largest robot makers, will debut the R1, its cheapest humanoid model, on the international market via Alibaba Group Holding’s AliExpress marketplace next week, according to two sources familiar with the matter on Thursday.The launch would cover major overseas markets including North America, Europe, Japan and Singapore, one of the sources said. The product would later be available on other channels, the second person said.The R1, launched in mainland China last year, is currently Unitree’s cheapest humanoid robot, priced from 29,900 yuan (US$4,370). Marketed as “born for sport”, the R1 is 123cm tall and weighs at least 27kg. It can do cartwheels, lie down, stand up and even run down a hill.The company has not yet disclosed the R1’s price to be sold abroad. Chinese humanoid robots pull off kung fu display at 2026 Spring Festival Gala