Unitree launches GD01 manned transforming robot with price starting at 3.9 million yuan

Unitree Robotics on May 12, 2026, launched the GD01, a mass-production manned transforming robot priced from 3.9 million yuan, positioning the product as a civilian transport vehicle aimed initially at entertainment, hazardous work and high-end private users. The GD01 stands about 3 meters tall and weighs about 500 kilograms with an operator onboard, according to company materials. A demonstration video showed founder Wang Xingxing operating the machine, which walked upright, transformed into a four-legged mode within seconds and struck down a brick wall. Unitree said the 3.9 million yuan figure is an initial reference price and may be adjusted after production and performance optimization. The company cited high manufacturing costs at the current stage. Tesla CEO Elon Musk commented “cool” on a related post on X, drawing additional attention to the launch. Key adoption hurdles include cost and regulatory approval for use on public roads or in commercial settings.