Unitree’s H2 humanoid smashes G1 in fight demo
PLUS: Figure's humanoid runs 6.5 mph and Agibot enters consumer market
Welcome back to your Robot Briefing
Unitree put its nearly 6-foot H2 humanoid in the ring against its own smaller G1 robot, landing punches and kicks hard enough to break pieces off the smaller unit in a raw display of scaled-up physical capability. This isn't just flashy choreography—it's a signal that full-size humanoids are entering territory that demands real strength and dynamic movement.
If companies can train robots to throw combinations and take hits, what other physically demanding tasks become possible?
In today's Robot update:
Unitree's H2 Humanoid Hits the Ring
Snapshot: Chinese robotics company Unitree demonstrated its full-size H2 humanoid in a fighting stance, throwing punches and kicks that damaged its smaller G1 unit to showcase agility and strength.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: Seeing full-size humanoids execute the same fighting techniques previously limited to smaller robots marks a significant step in physical capability scaling. The demonstration signals that companies are pushing humanoid robots toward more dynamic, real-world applications that require strength and precision.
AGIBOT Launches 'Intelligent Companion' Quadruped
Snapshot: AGIBOT announced the D1 Pro, a quadruped robot that climbs stairs, carries loads, and runs at speeds up to 3.5m/s while targeting research and entertainment markets.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: AGIBOT's dual-version strategy positions the D1 Pro to compete in both consumer entertainment and academic research markets simultaneously. The emphasis on customization and sensor integration shows the company understands that researchers need flexibility to push quadruped capabilities beyond pre-programmed functions.
Figure Founder Teases 6.5 MPH Pace
Snapshot: Figure's founder Brett Adcock shared new telemetry data showing a humanoid robot running at approximately 2.9 m/s (6.5 mph), marking a significant milestone in bipedal locomotion.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: The 6.5 mph running speed positions Figure competitively in the race to build practical humanoid robots alongside companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Unitree. Achieving faster locomotion directly impacts how useful these robots can be in warehouses, factories, and other settings where speed matters for productivity.
LimX's Oli Navigates Construction Rubble
Snapshot: LimX Dynamics' humanoid robot Oli successfully navigated a chaotic construction simulation, demonstrating the ability to recover balance in real-time after tripping on loose sand and debris.
Breakdown:
Takeaway: Oli's ability to handle unstable ground addresses real challenges construction teams face daily with shifting materials and hazardous footing. This practical demonstration shows humanoid robots moving closer to deployment in demanding work environments rather than remaining confined to controlled laboratory settings.
Other Top Robot Stories
EngineAI's demonstrated its new T800 humanoid robot delivering a powerful kick to the company's CEO, showcasing the machine's force capabilities and the founder's confidence in the robot's control systems during live testing.
Vietnam achieved a surgical milestone as Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi became the country's first female surgeon to lead a robotic OB-GYN procedure using the Da Vinci Xi system, which provides 15× magnification and high-precision control.
Mentee released a video showing its V3 humanoid robots autonomously sorting 32 boxes in warehouse conditions without human control or remote assistance, marking a shift from brief staged demos to extended proof of operational readiness as the Mobileye co-founder's startup pivots toward industrial logistics automation.
Morgan Stanley argues that that humanoid robots are overhyped, but the real upside sits with component suppliers: battery, sensor, and motion-control firms that enable reliable performance rather than flashy prototypes.
🤖 Your robotics thought for today:
What's a bridge between generations in your field that could be strengthened—not weakened—if robots handled the grunt work?
P.S. What's your take on this?
Until tomorrow,
Uli
