Robotics success on track

Recently, a video showing Unitree Robotics' humanoid robot running at high speed has attracted a lot of attention. The robot, named H1, reached a speed of 10 meters per second after removing its head and arms to improve performance.

To give some context, Usain Bolt, the world-famous sprinter, has a top speed of about 10.44 meters per second in his 100-meter world record run. This means H1 can run nearly as fast as an elite human athlete.

This progress is remarkable compared to H1's previous top speed of 3.3 meters per second in 2025. It shows significant improvements in robot movement control and power technology within China's robotics industry.

Experts say that this achievement is not just about speed but demonstrates China's advanced capabilities in making bipedal robots walk and run efficiently. Other Chinese robots, such as Bolt from Zhejiang University and Jingshi Technology, have also set records by reaching similar speeds.

However, experts warn that speed alone is not enough for robots to become widely useful. Robots need to perform practical tasks such as climbing stairs, avoiding obstacles, and working in difficult environments.

Despite these challenges, Unitree Robotics is growing quickly. The company shipped 5,500 humanoid robots last year and earned over 1.1 billion yuan in revenue. Most of their sales are for research and education purposes, but they expect wider commercial use soon.

The CEO of Unitree says robot prices will continue to drop. This will help more customers buy robots and create a larger market, where robots can assist with factory work, farming, and daily life in homes.

A recent viral video showcasing Unitree Robotics' H1 humanoid robot sprinting at an impressive speed of 10 meters per second has spotlighted China's growing expertise in bipedal locomotion technology. The robot’s head and arms were removed to optimize its performance, demonstrating the company's focus on achieving peak dynamic control.

This speed approaches that of elite human sprinter Usain Bolt, whose top speed during his world record 100-meter dash stands at roughly 10.44 meters per second. Such a leap from H1’s previous speed of 3.3 meters per second only a year prior highlights substantial progress in motion control algorithms and powertrain engineering within China’s robotics sector.

Experts emphasize that the significance lies not merely in the raw speed but in validating sophisticated high-speed dynamic control systems that underpin humanoid robotics. These breakthroughs place Chinese firms at the forefront of global competition in core actuation and bipedal movement capabilities.

Concurrently, other players like Zhejiang University and Jingshi Technology have introduced the Bolt robot, another full-size humanoid capable of matching similar peak speeds. Advances in gait optimization algorithms have enhanced human-like movement, improving both efficiency and stability for longer operational periods.

Nevertheless, the critical question for investors remains whether such speed achievements translate into practical applications. Tasks including stair navigation, obstacle avoidance, and operation in complex emergency terrains demand advanced control technologies developed through rigorous research in high-speed locomotion.

Despite these challenges, substantial capital investment flows into the sector. Unitree Robotics has filed for an IPO on Shanghai’s STAR Market, boasting shipments of 5,500 robots in 2025 and revenues exceeding 1.167 billion yuan, although the majority of income derives from research and educational markets rather than industrial deployment.

Unitree’s founder Wang Xingxing envisions a future where humanoid robots are not only cost-effective but ubiquitously accessible via leasing models to factories, farms, and homes. This vision includes fostering a robust developer ecosystem to continuously expand robot functionalities, potentially achieving human-equivalent operational efficiency within the next decade.