Unitree G1 vs Unitree R1
Last reviewed: 2026-09-01
In short: choose Unitree G1 if you want the more mature, more sensor-equipped humanoid platform — it's taller (1320 mm) and more robust (≈ 35 kg), has a depth camera + 3D LiDAR for mapping and navigation, an 8-core high-performance CPU, a 9000 mAh smart battery (≈ 2 h battery life) and a knee with 90 N·m of torque. Choose Unitree R1 if you want a lighter, more agile humanoid — it's shorter (1210 mm) and lighter (≈ 25 kg), has more joints (26 motors, with 2 waist and 2 head degrees of freedom), an ultra-wide-angle binocular camera, an on-board GPU compute module and a detachable battery for hot-swapping. In short: G1 = a stable, LiDAR-equipped platform for research and navigation; R1 = a lightweight humanoid with more joint mobility and an on-board GPU.
Who each is for
Unitree G1
- ✓Research and navigation with a depth camera + 3D LiDAR
- ✓More robust platform (≈ 35 kg) and taller (1.32 m)
- ✓9000 mAh smart battery, ≈ 2 h battery life
- ✓Higher knee torque (90 N·m) for locomotion
Unitree R1
- ✓Lightweight humanoid (≈ 25 kg) and compact (1.21 m), more agile
- ✓More joints (26 motors) — mobile waist and head
- ✓Binocular vision + on-board GPU compute module
- ✓Detachable battery for hot-swapping
The differences that matter
| Unitree G1 | Unitree R1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (standing) | 1320 × 450 × 200 mm | 1210 × 357 × 190 mm |
| Weight (with battery) | ≈ 35 kg | ≈ 25 kg |
| Degrees of freedom / motors (total) | 23 | 26 |
| Waist degrees of freedom | 1 | 2 |
| Head degrees of freedom | — | 2 |
| Perception sensors | Depth camera + 3D LiDAR | Binocular camera (ultra-wide angle) |
| Compute module | 8-core high-performance CPU | 8-core CPU + GPU |
| Battery | Smart, 9000 mAh | Detachable (hot-swap) |
Compared specifications
Dimensions & mass
| Unitree G1 | Unitree R1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bipedal humanoid robot | Bipedal humanoid robot |
| Dimensions (standing) | 1320 × 450 × 200 mm | 1210 × 357 × 190 mm |
| Weight (with battery) | ≈ 35 kg | ≈ 25 kg |
| Manufacturer | Unitree Robotics | Unitree Robotics |
Motion & joints
| Unitree G1 | Unitree R1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Degrees of freedom / motors (total) | 23 | 26 |
| Leg degrees of freedom | 6 | 6 |
| Arm degrees of freedom | 5 | 5 |
| Waist degrees of freedom | 1 | 2 |
| Head degrees of freedom | — | 2 |
| Max arm payload | ≈ 2 kg | ≈ 2 kg |
Perception, compute & power
| Unitree G1 | Unitree R1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Perception sensors | Depth camera + 3D LiDAR | Binocular camera (ultra-wide angle) |
| Compute module | 8-core high-performance CPU | 8-core CPU + GPU |
| Microphones | 4 (noise-cancelling) | 4 (microphone array) |
| Speakers | 5W, stereo | 2× 3W, stereo |
| Battery | Smart, 9000 mAh | Detachable (hot-swap) |
Both are bipedal Unitree humanoid platforms, with 6-DoF legs, 5-DoF arms and a similar arm payload (≈ 2 kg) — the main difference is that G1 is taller, heavier and has 3D LiDAR, while R1 is lighter, has more joints (26), binocular vision + GPU and a detachable battery. Both G1 and R1 also have EDU versions (secondary development / SDK).
Frequently asked questions
What's the main difference between Unitree G1 and R1?
G1 is taller (1320 mm) and heavier (≈ 35 kg), with a depth camera + 3D LiDAR and a 9000 mAh smart battery (≈ 2 h). R1 is lighter (≈ 25 kg) and shorter (1210 mm), with more joints (26 motors), binocular vision, an on-board GPU compute module and a detachable battery.
Which robot has better perception and navigation?
For LiDAR-based mapping and navigation, G1 — it has a depth camera + 3D LiDAR. R1 uses an ultra-wide-angle binocular camera and a GPU compute module, focused on visual perception.
Which robot has more degrees of freedom?
R1, with 26 joint motors (including 2 waist and 2 head degrees of freedom), versus 23 on the standard G1. Both have 6 degrees of freedom per leg and 5 per arm.
Do they also have EDU versions?
Yes. Both G1 and R1 have EDU variants with secondary development (SDK) and extra options. See also our Unitree G1 vs G1 EDU comparison for the differences between the standard and research versions.
Do they have a public price?
No — both are quote-based. IRIS Robotics is the official Unitree distributor in Romania and provides pricing, configuration, integration, training and technical support.
Sources
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