Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics has unveiled a massive rideable robot called the GD01, a transforming “mecha” machine priced at about $650,000, drawing comparisons online to the famous Gundam sci-fi franchise. The robot was revealed this week through promotional videos showing the machine walking on two legs, shifting into a four-legged mode and smashing through obstacles.
The GD01 stands around 10 feet (3 meters) tall and weighs roughly half a ton. The cockpit seats a human operator inside an exposed metal frame while the robot moves in either bipedal or quadrupedal form.
Unitree, based in Hangzhou, China, has become one of the country’s most closely watched robotics companies after gaining attention for its humanoid and quadruped robots, including machines capable of flips, kung fu movements and other advanced demonstrations.
While the GD01 has generated major online excitement, some observers questioned its practical use beyond entertainment, demonstrations and promotional events. Discussions on Reddit and tech forums also focused on the robot’s unusual cockpit design and limited visible safety protections.
