China’s Unitree Robotics has launched the R1, a humanoid robot priced at just $5,900—significantly undercutting existing competitors. Weighing 25kg and featuring 26 joints, the R1 is equipped with multimodal AI, including voice and image recognition. The launch, timed with China’s largest AI forum in Shanghai, signals a broader push by Chinese firms to lead in affordable humanoid robotics. Compared to the $200,000 price tag of similar robots in 2024, Unitree’s R1 marks a dramatic cost drop. It f