Introduction

In recent years, the rapid evolution of generative AI has made the idea of "AI operating in the real world" a reality.

Among these, Physical AI is attracting particular attention. Physical AI refers to a system in which AI understands its surroundings through cameras and sensors and acts in the real world using a physical body such as a robot. Humanoid robots are a prime example of this. Because they can utilize environments designed for humans, they are expected to be used in a wide range of fields, including logistics, manufacturing, inspection, nursing care, and service industries.

The Unitree G1 (hereinafter referred to as G1), which we will introduce today, is a humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics. Despite its relatively compact size, it is equipped with a high-performance sensor array and computing platform, and is attracting attention as a development platform for physical AI.
In this article, we will actually open a G1 pack.

・Open
Initial setup
·boot
・Remote control operation
Dance performance

I tried up to this point.

I hope this will be helpful for those considering introducing G1 or those interested in robots for physical AI.

Why are humanoid robots attracting so much attention now?

Many workplaces, such as logistics warehouses, factories, offices, and commercial facilities, are designed for humans.

While wheeled robots may require changes to the environment, humanoid robots have a structure similar to humans, making it possible to utilize existing environments.

In recent years, advancements in generative AI such as Vision Language Models (VLMs) and Large Language Models (LLMs) have made the future where robots understand their surroundings and interact with humans a reality. Therefore, humanoid robots are attracting attention as an important platform for realizing physical AI.

What is Unitree G1?

The G1 is a humanoid robot developed by Unitree Robotics.

Despite its relatively compact size (approximately 132cm in height and 35kg in weight), it features numerous joints and sensors. It is designed not only for research and development purposes but also as a development platform with future business applications in mind.

Main Specifications

item	content
Size (when standing)	1320×450×200mm
weight	Approximately 35kg
Calculation module	NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ NX
memory	16GB
storage	2TB
sensor	Depth Camera + 3D LiDAR
communication	Wi-Fi 6、Bluetooth® 5.2
battery	9000mAh
Continuous operation time	Approximately 2 hours (while walking)

Pre-startup preparation

① Open

The G1 is delivered in a dedicated case. The case has casters for easy transport.

The case has a sturdy construction and is designed to prevent damage to the main unit and accessories during transport.

The following items are included in the package:

- Unitree G1 main unit
• Unitree R3 Controller (hereinafter referred to as the controller)
·battery
・Charger
• Various accessories

The unit weighs approximately 35 kg.

As recommended in the manual, it is advisable to have multiple people work together when moving the unit.

② Battery installation

First, insert the battery into the device. Make sure the power button is on the back.

The battery needs to be inserted all the way in. If it's not inserted evenly, it won't be properly secured.

④ Controller connection

When you power on the controller, communication with the main unit will begin.

Once a successful connection is established, the indicator showing the communication status will become active.

Let's try starting up G1.

The startup sequence goes through multiple control modes.

When using this mode for the first time, it's important to understand what it means.

What happens after startup?

① The device will start up when you turn on the power.

②It takes approximately 1-2 minutes for the system to boot up, and after booting, voice guidance will be played.

③ After startup, switch to Damping Mode.

④ After that, when it switches to Ready Mode, the robot will begin to assume an autonomous posture.

⑤ Once the posture is stable, walking control becomes possible when Running Mode is activated.

* It takes approximately 2-3 minutes from powering on the unit until it becomes ready to walk.
*It is also possible to stand up while lying on your back or sitting.

I tried out the features of the G1!

I tried using the remote control.

In Running Mode, you can control your walking using the controller.

Using a joystick,

・Forward
・Retreat
Turning left and right

You can control it. It feels similar to using a game controller.

The robot will operate more smoothly if you manipulate the controller gradually rather than giving it sudden inputs.

While operating it, there were moments when I worried it might tip over, but in reality, it was very stable and did not tip over even with a light push.

The main unit is equipped with an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), which constantly monitors changes in posture and center of gravity to perform control.

The way it maintained its balance while walking and when stopped demonstrated the high level of posture control technology required for humanoid robots.

On the other hand, because the soles are made of hard resin, the sound of footsteps echoed more than expected in an office environment.

I tried out gesture controls.

G1 can perform not only walking but also various gestures. We actually tried motions such as Wave Hand and Handshake. These motions are executed by inputting specific commands from the controller. It's not just a simple robotic arm; it possesses the expressive capabilities of a humanoid robot. It's expected to be useful for exhibitions and demonstrations for visitors.

I tried out the dance mode.

In dance mode, the robot can perform performance motions different from walking mode, demonstrating that not only the arms but also the hips and legs work in conjunction, involving the entire body. Particularly noteworthy is its ability to maintain balance while shifting its weight to one leg. By utilizing the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) built into the unit, it performs posture control in real time, resulting in stability even during dynamic movements.

Points to note that I learned from using the system

The appeal of the G1 from an engineer's perspective

The greatest appeal of the G1 lies in the fact that it can be used not just as a demonstration robot, but as a development platform for physical AI.

A major feature is the inclusion of NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX as the computing platform. This enables edge AI inference and robot control to be implemented on a single platform.

An SDK is also provided, enabling application development.

Recently, Macnica has also been working in the field of Physical AI.

- Building a simulation environment using NVIDIA Isaac Sim™
- Data collection from actual robots via teleoperation
• Robot application development using ROS 2
AI-driven autonomous behavior control

We are currently conducting verification in these technical areas.

As the Physical AI market expands, the G1 is highly useful as a platform for verifying these technologies on actual hardware.

Summary

This time, we actually tested everything from unboxing and initial setup of the G1 to startup, remote control operation, and dance performance.

Many people may associate humanoid robots with "research robots" or "future technology." However, upon actually interacting with one, I was impressed by the high level of perfection in basic movements such as walking and gestures, and I could feel the evolution of humanoid robot technology firsthand. What was particularly impressive was the posture control provided by the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) installed in the robot. It constantly maintained its balance while walking and dancing, and even a light push did not cause it to fall over, maintaining its posture. It was different from the image of robots I had previously held, and I was able to feel the maturity of humanoid robot technology.

Macnica will continue to conduct technical verification and disseminate information related to the fields of Physical AI and robotics.
We hope this article will be helpful to those interested in Unitree G1 and humanoid robots, as well as those considering taking their first steps in utilizing Physical AI.