Unitree Robotics

Wang Xingxing (王兴兴) is the founder and CEO of Unitree. His robotics work began during his postgraduate studies, when he developed XDog, an early quadruped prototype. 2013–2016: Developed XDog while pursuing postgraduate studies, focusing on quadruped locomotion and control. 2016: Founded Unitree after videos of XDog attracted international attention; the company initially focused on making high-performance quadruped robotics more accessible. Engineering orientation: Wang’s work has centered on motors, mechanical design, control systems, locomotion and robot software, shaping Unitree’s hardware-first development model. Strategic evolution: Under Wang’s leadership, Unitree expanded from quadrupeds into humanoids, robotic arms and embodied-AI models, while retaining strong in-house hardware and motion-control capabilities.

Unitree’s 2026 IPO prospectus, as cited in the supplied profile, identifies JD Group as a major domestic customer. The broader sales base includes consumer, research/education and industrial applications. The prospectus reports more than 5,500 humanoid robots shipped in 2025 and ranks Unitree No.1 globally by humanoid shipment volume for that year. This is a company-reported claim from the prospectus, not an independently verified ranking.

Unitree has positioned its B2 industrial quadruped for power-substation and industrial inspection, where robots can operate in environments that can be difficult or hazardous for human inspectors. The B2 combines all-terrain mobility with industrial-grade protection, including IP67 dust/water resistance, operation from -20°C to 55°C, obstacle clearance and high-speed locomotion. Application Automated inspection of substations and power infrastructure; navigation across stairs, uneven ground, slopes and other complex terrain; integration of thermal imaging, LiDAR and AI vision for detecting equipment abnormalities; and remote inspection in potentially hazardous environments, reducing the need for personnel to enter high-risk areas. Evidence of deployment Unitree states that its B1 entered industrial applications in 2022, including electric-power inspection and fire rescue, before being upgraded to the B2 in 2023. The company subsequently developed dedicated power-inspection solutions around the B2 platform. Why this case matters This B2B case illustrates the transition from robot hardware to an industry-specific solution, leveraging Unitree’s locomotion, sensing and motion-control capabilities in an industrial environment. Important caveat Unitree’s public materials establish the power-inspection application, but do not clearly identify a named utility customer. A specific utility should therefore not be attributed as a Unitree client without direct confirmation from a primary source.