Affordable Acquisition of Somersaulting Anthropoid Robot, Costing Less than Two Apple Vision Pros Purchases
New Humanoid Robots on the Horizon: Unitree R1 and Tesla's Optimus Compared
Two new humanoid robots are making waves in the tech world - the Unitree R1 and Tesla's Optimus. While both robots share a human-like form, they differ significantly in dexterity, features, and cost.
The Agile Unitree R1
The Unitree R1, priced at around $5,900, is a consumer-end humanoid bot designed with a "movement-first" approach. Standing nearly as tall as a human, the R1 boasts 26 functional joints, with 6 in each leg, 2 in the waist, 5 in each arm, and 2 in the head. This design allows the R1 to perform dynamic, lifelike mobility, executing moves such as handstands, cartwheels, and even sprinting over level ground.
The R1 is equipped with AI voice command recognition, basic conversational ability, visual processing through built-in cameras, and advanced connectivity like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. However, it does not seem to have fine finger dexterity, and it does not possess usable hands or physical manipulation tools, limiting its ability to perform practical tasks involving physical manipulation.
The Ambitious Optimus
Tesla's Optimus, on the other hand, is a more ambitious humanoid robot prototype aimed at performing repetitive, dangerous, or household chores. Standing taller at 5'8", Optimus can lift about 20 kg and walk at around 5 mph. Tesla has promoted its bot as a real-life Rosey from the Jetsons, implying planned advanced task capabilities including manipulation.
However, Optimus remains in early prototype stages, with practical functions yet to be demonstrated. If Tesla follows through with its plans, Optimus is expected to cost at least $20,000, over three times the R1's price, reflecting its greater hardware complexity and ambition. Production of Optimus bots was reportedly halted in mid-June, but Elon Musk claims Tesla will have Optimus gen 3 prototypes available by the end of the year.
A Comparison
| Aspect | Unitree R1 | Tesla Optimus | |--------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------| | Height | 1.21m (47.6 in) | 5’8” (approx. 1.73m) | | Weight | 25 kg (55 lbs) | 125 lbs | | Dexterity | Highly agile, acrobatic, 26 joints, no hands or task manipulation tools | Larger, designed for task performance including lifting 20 kg | | Features | AI voice command, basic dialog, visual processing, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2| Autonomy with neural nets, designed for household/repetitive work | | Cost | ~$5,900 | ~$20,000+ | | Development | Available for purchase | Prototype stage, longer timeline|
In short, the Unitree R1 focuses on motion and acrobatics at low cost, making it a versatile platform more for research, entertainment, and development rather than practical task execution. Tesla’s Optimus aims for full humanoid utility with manipulation and autonomy, but at a higher price and with more development ahead.
Meanwhile, Unitree is hosting a fisticuffs tournament for its G1 models, while there is no R1 listing on the Unitree company's store page yet. The Unitree R1 robot can do flips, punch at the air, and even sprint over level ground, but it does not seem to have fine finger dexterity. On the other hand, the Unitree R1 robot is less expensive than two Apple Vision Pros, making it highly affordable and accessible especially for developers, researchers, and enthusiasts.
- The future of robotics is being shaped by advancements in technology, as demonstrated by the Unitree R1 and Tesla's Optimus, two humanoid robots with distinct differences in dexterity, features, and cost.
- As Gizmodo reports, the Unitree R1, priced around $5,900, is a movement-first robot designed for agility, featuring 26 functional joints that allow for dynamic, lifelike mobility, even performing acrobatic moves like handstands and cartwheels.
- In contrast, Tesla's Optimus, aimed at performing household chores and repetitive tasks, is a more ambitious project with a projected cost of at least $20,000, boasting advanced autonomous features and designed for manipulation, although it currently resides in prototype stages, with practical functions yet to be shown.
