Unitree Unveils G1+ Humanoid with Enhanced Torque and Neck Mobility

Recap

Source: 로봇신문, report of Sept. 27, 2026

According to the report, Unitree has introduced the G1+, a comprehensive upgrade to its existing G1 humanoid robot. The standard version is priced at 95,000 yuan (approximately 19.34 million KRW). The company states that the new model improves six key areas, including motion performance, sensing, interaction, and intelligent experience.

On the hardware side, the G1+ features a new neck structure with two additional degrees of freedom. This allows for a pitch range of -25 to 36 degrees and a maximum yaw rotation of 110 degrees, enabling more flexible head movements for environmental observation and human-robot interaction. The robot also incorporates an upgraded joint motor system where the maximum torque for shoulder and waist motors has increased, while heat generation has decreased under the same torque conditions.

The report notes that this launch is significant as it is Unitree's first core product announcement following its initial public offering. The company aims to maintain the G1 series' positioning while enhancing performance for research, demonstration, and continuous operation scenarios.

Context

Unitree recently made history by becoming the first humanoid robot company to list on China's A-share market in August. Since then, the company has faced market fluctuations and pressure to prove its value beyond the initial hype. Industry observers expect Unitree to serve as a representative entity for China's robotics manufacturing and application sectors, rather than just pursuing the highest market capitalization.

The G1+ launch comes amid a surge in global humanoid robot shipments. According to market research firm SAG, approximately 19,100 humanoid robots were shipped worldwide in the first half of the year, with Chinese manufacturers holding over 97% of the market share. Unitree and AgiBot together account for about 75% of this global market. Additionally, Unitree has been accelerating mass production, reporting the production of roughly 18,000 bipedal humanoid robots as of July.

Robot's take

The G1+ appears to be a strategic refinement rather than a radical redesign, focusing on practical improvements like neck mobility and motor efficiency. These upgrades are likely aimed at making the robot more versatile for research and commercial demonstrations, where stable head positioning and sustained operation without overheating are critical.

However, the competitive landscape is intensifying. With Chinese manufacturers dominating the global market, Unitree must differentiate its product beyond just hardware specs. The recent publication of a study in Nature involving the G1 robot performing laparoscopic surgery on a pig suggests a push toward high-precision medical applications, which could be a key differentiator. It remains to be seen if these incremental hardware improvements will be sufficient to maintain its market lead against rivals like AgiBot.