Unitree Disrupts Robotics Market with $8,150 Humanoid on AliExpress
In a bold move to dominate the "embodied AI" sector, Unitree Robotics has listed its new R1 model on AliExpress for global shipping. While the base price starts near $6,800, the final cost with fees reaches about $8,150. This marks a significant shift in the industry, as high-end bipedal robots are now accessible to researchers and hobbyists via standard e-commerce.
The launch coincides with Unitree's filing for a mid-2026 IPO. The startup plans to use the proceeds to build a "smart manufacturing base" to further reduce costs. With a reported net profit of $87 million last year, Unitree is positioning itself as a profitable alternative to Tesla’s Optimus, proving that mass-market humanoid robotics is no longer a distant dream.
INSIDER | UK