Robot mobility is entering a new phase as Unitree Robotics unveils a striking demonstration of its G1 humanoid.

In footage released, the wheeled-legged robot glides on roller skates and ice skates while maintaining balance through coordinated wheel-leg control.

According to the Chinese firm, it executes continuous dynamic maneuvers including 360-degree turns, one-leg spins, and even front flips.

“Humanoid robots are the ideal form of general-purpose robots (perfect for general AI and human-derived data). They can work without wheels — but they can also have wheels if they want. Whatever works,” reads the video description on YouTube.

In November 2025, Unitree launched the G1-D, its first wheeled humanoid robot, designed to collect data, train AI models, and perform tasks in real-world environments.

Wheels meet legs

The new video from Unitree is drawing attention for pushing humanoid mobility into unfamiliar territory—on wheels and ice.

The footage released on April 23 showcases the company’s wheeled-legged G1 platform performing a sequence of highly dynamic movements that blur the line between robotics and sport. The robot transitions smoothly between rolling and stepping, executing ice-skating and roller-skating maneuvers with coordinated control of both its wheels and articulated legs.

What stands out is not just movement, but precision. The G1 performs continuous actions, including 360-degree turns, one-leg spins, and even front flips, all while maintaining balance and posture.

These feats highlight major gains in stability, real-time control, and hybrid locomotion—areas that have historically limited humanoid robots. The ability to combine wheeled efficiency with legged adaptability allows the system to handle varied terrains and motion demands more effectively than traditional designs, reports Pan Daily.

Experts suggest the demonstration also reflects broader industry trends. While earlier balancing machines—like those inspired by Segway—relied purely on wheels, modern humanoids have leaned toward human-like limbs. Unitree’s approach merges both philosophies, supported by advances in simulation training and AI-driven motion control, reports Tech Radar.

According to the company, such platforms are key to developing general-purpose robots capable of operating in human environments, where flexibility and efficiency must coexist.

Humanoid goes mobile

Unitree recently introduced the G1-D, a wheeled humanoid robot built for data collection, AI training, and real-world task execution. The system integrates hardware and software into a full-stack platform for managing AI workflows, from data acquisition to deployment.

The G1-D is offered in Standard and Flagship versions. The Standard model is stationary, while the Flagship features a differential-drive wheeled base capable of speeds up to 1.5 m/s. Both variants stand between 49.5 and 66 inches tall and weigh up to 176 pounds (80 kilograms). The robot provides 17 degrees of freedom in the Standard version and 19 in the mobile version, with each arm offering 7 DOF and a payload capacity of 6.6 pounds (3 kilograms).

A flexible waist joint supports up to 155° motion along the Z-axis and −2.5° to 135° along the Y-axis, enabling a vertical working range of 2 meters. Vision is handled by a head-mounted binocular camera and additional wrist cameras for close-range perception.

The robot supports multiple end effectors, including two- and three-finger grippers and a five-finger dexterous hand. The Flagship model runs on an Nvidia Jetson Orin NX module delivering up to 100 TOPS, with up to six hours of battery life. An integrated software stack supports data annotation, simulation, and distributed AI training.