Chinese engineers have built a Transformer-like robot that can quickly change from bipedal to quadrupedal movement, while being capable of transporting people, reminiscent of the exoskeletons from the movie Aliens or the Gundam SEED -style mobile robotic systems from Japanese anime.
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Its developer, Unitree, says the large humanoid robot is intended for civilian transportation use. In a promotional video, the robot — dubbed GD01 — is seen walking upright, knocking down a high concrete block wall, and then transforming into a quadrupedal form to more easily move over rough terrain.
According to Unitree representatives, the machine weighs about 500 kilograms including the operator and is almost 3 meters tall. In fact, it is also available for sale, with a starting price of about $572,000.
The basic structure of the machine consists of a frame made of aerospace-grade titanium and aluminum alloy, which is covered by an outer shell made of carbon fiber.
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Unitree calls the GD01 the world's first mass-produced "transforming mecha" and, according to the promotional video description, urges users to "use it in a friendly and safe way."
Boarding the current version of the GD01 is not a particularly easy process. In the video, the operator has to awkwardly climb onto the robot's leg to reach the cockpit. Interestingly, although it is promoted as a manned vehicle, in the initial footage it appears to be controlled remotely, with no human in the cockpit.
Unitree is a robotics startup based in Hangzhou, China, and is primarily known for much smaller humanoids and quadrupedal robots.
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Quadrupedal models like the B2 can climb stairs, remain upright even after heavy impacts, and leap over gaps. They can also be modified to convert from a legged configuration to a wheeled version.
