[Hyundai, Samsung, and Chinese Robot Dog Competition] Chinese Robots Invade Korean Market... Affordable and User-Friendly

③Experience with Unitree's Quadruped Robot Dogs 'Go1' and 'B1'

360-Degree Directional Freedom... Climbing Stairs, Low Crawling, and Jumping
Mass Production Facility in China... Delivery Within 2 Months After Order
Affordable Price... 'Modular' Orders Allow Control of Leg Joint Motors
"Robot Dog Body Is a Platform... Sensor and Payload Technology Will Be the Key Battle"

Samsung and Hyundai Motor are making large-scale investments in quadruped robots, commonly known as 'robot dogs,' drawing attention to the related industry. Robot dogs are next-generation growth engines that can be utilized in various fields such as security, industry, and human care. China has emerged as a global leader by actively fostering the related industry under government leadership early on. In South Korea, the demand for Chinese robot dogs, which are affordable and highly compatible with other devices, is increasing. To explore the potential of Chinese robot dogs, we took a walk with 'Go1' and 'B1,' robot dogs made by Unitree Robotics, a robotics company located in Hangzhou.

Running, Climbing Stairs, and Even Low Crawling

Unitree's quadruped robot dogs 'Go1' and 'B1' are walking on the road. / Photo by Donghyun Choi

Go1 is a small dog-sized robot standing 64.5 cm tall and weighing 12 kg. Its maximum speed varies by version but can reach up to 13.3 km/h, allowing it to keep pace with a light jog. The body is equipped with five sensors and ten cameras that identify objects and distances. B1 is larger and more powerful than Go1, measuring 112.6 cm and weighing 55 kg. If Go1 resembles a Shiba Inu in overall stature, B1 is akin to a Great Dane.

While walking on flat asphalt roads, the robot dogs moved their four legs and followed without difficulty. They freely changed directions diagonally forward, backward, left, and right, avoiding oncoming people and cars. When encountering a half-span stair, the sensors recognized it, and the robot naturally climbed it. Go1 can climb slopes with an incline of up to 35 degrees.

Unitree's quadruped robot dog 'Go1' is running.
Photo by Donghyun Choi

We tipped the robot dog onto its back with all four limbs facing upward. After hesitating for a few seconds, it folded its legs and swiftly turned its body to stand up. It displayed various movements such as raising its front paws to act cute and jumping in place. Even when pushed sideways, it did not fall immediately but sidestepped to regain balance. If only the appearance were perfect, it would be indistinguishable from a real puppy. However, the battery life was relatively short, lasting about an hour.

Chinese Robot Dogs: Affordable and Highly Versatile

Unitree's Korean partner company is Youngin Mobility, a subsidiary of the Youngin Group established in 1976. Youngin Mobility had been engaged in the drone business for several years and began full-scale robot business last December through a partnership with Unitree.

At Youngin Mobility located in Seocho-gu, Seoul, CEO Kwon Yong-sik said he had met all the famous robot dog manufacturers, including Boston Dynamics acquired by Hyundai Motor two years ago, Rainbow Robotics and Ghost Robotics invested in by Samsung, Xiaomi, and Tencent. CEO Kwon said, "Delivery time is very important for robot dogs to settle in the market, and Unitree is the only company capable of mass-producing robot dogs that can arrive in Korea within two months after ordering." He added, "Ghost Robotics took one and a half to two years to produce one robot dog, and Boston Dynamics' prices were too high."

Unitree's quadruped robot dog 'Go1' is raising its front leg and acting cute. / Photo by Donghyun Choi

The price of Go1 varies by model, but the cheapest 'AIR' model costs about 6 million KRW. Compared to Boston Dynamics' 'SPOT,' which costs $74,500 (about 100 million KRW), it is about one-sixteenth the price. CEO Kwon said, "There is a modular type of robot dog that allows developers to program freely and attach sensors, but Boston Dynamics does not provide code to control the leg joint motors due to technical security reasons." He continued, "Unitree has made this technology open, enabling users worldwide to experiment with robot dog movements in various environments and refine algorithms."

CEO Kwon described the robot dog's body as a kind of 'platform.' He predicted that future global competition in robot dogs will focus less on the platform itself and more on the application and compatibility technologies of mounted equipment such as sensors, cameras, and communication devices. He explained, "The locomotion performance of major global robot dogs has generally become similar. From now on, serious competition will begin in autonomous driving and remote control technologies."

Rapid Growth of China's Robot Industry with Full Government Support

Unitree's quadruped robot dog 'Go1' is walking in a low crawling posture to avoid obstacles.
Photo by Donghyun Choi

Chinese robot dogs are quickly establishing themselves in the global market with low prices and an open technology strategy. China, as a latecomer in the global robot market, is interpreted to have adopted a strategy to enhance user accessibility rather than pursuing aggressive technology development. In South Korea, construction companies are actively utilizing Chinese robot dogs, and plans are underway to introduce their use in the firefighting sector soon.

The competitiveness of Chinese robots is thanks to strong government support. In 2015, the Chinese government announced the 'Made in China 2025' plan, designating robots as one of the ten core industries to be nurtured. In Shanghai and Beijing, companies in robot clusters receive a 10% refund on investment funds and subsidies amounting to 20% of sales. Not only manufacturers but also consumers who purchase or lease robots receive a 20% subsidy. According to the China Robot Industry Development Report, the Chinese robot industry market size reached $17.4 billion (about 22.7 trillion KRW) last year, growing at an average annual rate of 22% over the past five years. In comparison, the South Korean robot market size was 5.6 trillion KRW in 2021, growing only 2.5% from the previous year.