Unitree Robotics manufactures core components in-house, reducing supplier reliance
Robotics firm Unitree Robotics manufactures its core components, including joint motors, using only raw materials like copper wire and magnets. The company states that its fully self-sufficient production enhances cost-effectiveness and reliability.
At the 2026 Yabuli Forum Innovation Conference held in Shanghai, Unitree Robotics co-founder Chen Li outlined the company's strategy for in-house manufacturing of its core components.
Chen Li emphasized that Unitree Robotics maintains independence from external suppliers for its joint motors. "Our upstream suppliers consist solely of raw material providers such as copper wire and magnets, ensuring complete control," he stated. This approach enables the company to produce a comprehensive range of products internally, including its quadruped robots, humanoids, robotic arms, pumps, and dexterous hands.
The company asserts that its end-to-end in-house development significantly boosts product cost-effectiveness, reliability, stability, and consistency. Unitree Robotics has also made substantial investments in proprietary technology development, covering robot control, perception, navigation, and AI algorithms, leading to the application for numerous patents.
Unitree Robotics claims a dominant position in the quadruped robot market, accounting for approximately 70% of shipments. The company is also recognized as a global leader in humanoid robot shipments, with its business operations extending to over 50 countries worldwide. Unitree has been developing its core components, such as motors, reducers, encoders, and various sensors, internally since 2013.
Recently, Unitree Robotics announced a price reduction for its Unitree R1 series humanoid robots, starting at 29,900 yuan, and made them available for immediate delivery.