Unitree unveils GD01 mecha robot that walks on two legs or four

Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics unveiled the GD01, a manned 'mecha' robot that transitions between bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion, on Tuesday. The high-strength alloy machine, weighing 500kg with a pilot, is designed for civilian transport and costs 3.9 million yuan ($573,674). A demonstration showed it walking upright, knocking down a brick wall, then shifting to a four-legged crawl. Unitree claims it is the world's first mass-produced 'transformable mecha.' The Hangzhou-based company's launch comes as Chinese manufacturers outpace US rivals due to lower costs and faster scaling.