Unitree puts a dexterous arm below ¥10,000

Unitree launched the R1 seven-axis dexterous robotic arm at RMB9,900. The official specification page lists a 5.5kg mass, 2kg payload, 650mm reach, force feedback and collision detection, with control software and interfaces planned for open release. For embodied-AI labs, a sub-RMB10,000 manipulation platform lowers the cost of collecting contact-rich demonstrations, although Unitree’s warning about limited position-control stiffness makes the price an entry ticket rather than a turnkey workcell; it extends the hardware curve behind the physical-AI funding boom.