Unitree unveils H2-X humanoid guardian robot with martial arts moves

On Oct 21, the Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics unveiled its H2-X, a humanoid "guardian" robot that pairs martial arts moves with rescue work.

The 170-cm, 65-kg machine performs flying kicks, knee and elbow strikes, and a forward roll across a car roof in a video Unitree says was filmed in real time. It also drops roughly four meters from a platform, tumbling on landing before rising to its feet unscathed, and kicks hard enough to dent a car door.

The demo doubles as a job application. The robot is shown driving off an attacker, lifting the front of a car to free someone trapped underneath, and pushing a pedestrian clear of an oncoming vehicle.

Unitree said the model can stay upright for up to eight hours on a single charge, more than double the standard H2's three hours. Pricing and delivery dates for the H2-X remain undisclosed; the earlier H2 sells for 199,000 yuan (roughly $30,000). The company advises keeping 2 to 3 meters away. Whether these scripted rescues translate into autonomous judgment on a chaotic street remains the open question.

Jin Zhanyan contributed to the story.