On October 9th, Time magazine announced its list of the best inventions of 2025, and the Unitree R1, a bipedal humanoid robot developed by China's Unitree Robotics, was selected in the robotics category. This groundbreaking product, with its humanoid design and programmability, is one of the few robots on the list that truly evokes a sense of science fiction.
Unlike common drones or self-driving cars, the Unitree R1 truly realizes the concept of a humanoid robot. Launched in July of this year with a starting price of just 39,900 yuan, the robot is primarily targeted at researchers, educators, and developers in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. Weighing only 23 kilograms, it features a built-in AI system that supports voice recognition and image processing. Its 26 joints (humans have approximately 300) enable it to perform challenging maneuvers such as boxing, running, and even cartwheels, demonstrating incredible agility.
Time magazine has annually recognized the world's most influential inventions since 2000. This year's list has expanded to 300 entries, covering a wide range of fields, including robotics, AI, and health. In the robotics category, the Unitree R1 was ranked alongside the Figure 03 (home robot), the EufyMake E1 UV printer (home 3D printing), and the HoverAir X1 ProMax (personal photographer robot). This recognition not only recognizes Unitree's technological innovation but also signals the growing competitiveness of Chinese companies in the global robotics field.
