Robotics specialist Unitree has released another video showing its G1 humanoid robot recovering quickly and easily after being knocked to the ground.
“Unitree G1 has learned the ‘Anti-Gravity’ mode,” Unitree said in a comment alongside the footage. “Stability is greatly improved under any action sequence, and even if it falls, it can quickly get back up.”
Unitree G1 has mastered more quirky skills 🤩
Unitree G1 has learned the “Anti-Gravity” mode: stability is greatly improved under any action sequence, and even if it falls, it can quickly get back up. pic.twitter.com/gDR0n0eIXl
It’s an impressive display of balance and agility — not to mention robustness — with the robot seemingly untroubled by being repeatedly kicked to the ground. Its recovery speed is particularly impressive, but some are starting to wonder … what’s it all for?
If the goal is to create an army of humanoid robots capable of hand-to-hand combat, then it’s heading in the right direction. But if the aim is to deploy G1 in industrial settings like warehouses and factories, then we’d love to see more of what it can do in those locations, too.
Indeed, some folks on X dropping comments on the video are making similar points.
“These demos mean nothing,” said one. “You should show video where the robot is actually doing some useful work without human intervention.”
Another comments: “Stunning progress in humanoid robotics with Unitree’s achievements standing out. Stability matters, but focus must be on practical uses that uplift human lives.”
While someone else quips: “I’m going to laugh so hard when the robot finally figures out that it can stop from getting knocked over by beating the guy up preemptively.”
Unitree’s G1 robot stands at 52 inches (132 centimeters) and tips the scales at 77 pounds (35 kilograms). It’s fully electric and comes with dexterous robotic hands.
The Hangzhou, China-based company actually started selling the G1 humanoid robot in 2024 for the competitive price of $16,000. The bipedal bot is aimed primarily at researchers and businesses looking for an adaptable platform for AI-driven automation and manipulation.
The market for humanoid robots is likely to grow significantly in the coming years, with improving AI and sensor technologies expected to give the robots more capabilities than ever. Unitree is one of a growing number of companies developing humanoid robots, with many eyeing mass deployment in industrial settings.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.