A Chinese robotics company has unveiled a groundbreaking “mecha” robot that can switch between walking on two legs and moving on four. This innovative machine, named the GD01 and developed by Unitree Robotics, weighs 500kg – similar to a grand piano – and is intended for civilian transport. Priced at 3.9 million yuan (approximately US$573,674), it features a cockpit for a pilot and can transform its structure from a humanoid form to a four-legged stance. The GD01 is touted as the first mass-produced “transformable mecha” in the world, marking a significant advancement for the Hangzhou-based company. This development comes as Chinese manufacturers are rapidly surpassing their US counterparts, benefiting from lower production costs and quicker scaling capabilities.

