{"id":"b7834707-c098-447a-bc69-9e4e3bb8987c","slug":"unitree-g1-nose-kick-2026-02-18","kind":"injury","headline":"Unitree G1 humanoid robot kicked a man in the nose causing heavy bleeding after falling and flailing during a public demonstration in China","summary":"A Unitree G1 humanoid robot lost balance while performing in front of a crowd in China and flailed its limbs uncontrollably while attempting to recover, striking a man in the nose. The man, who appeared to be the robot's operator, was seen nursing a bleeding nose. The incident highlights a safety flaw in the G1's reinforcement learning recovery policy, which causes the robot to thrash its limbs to stand up after a fall, posing a risk to nearby humans.","occurredAt":"2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z","reviewStatus":"reviewed","modelId":"3c593db9-6102-4c29-9be6-172887565abe","deploymentId":"4015074e-5607-4bf7-b8ad-b0200955d76d","companyId":null,"dataCenterId":null,"aliases":[],"collisionRisk":"none","reviewNote":null,"severity":"moderate","rootCauseCategory":"software_defect","rootCauseDetail":"Reinforcement learning recovery policy causes uncontrolled limb thrashing when the robot falls, striking nearby humans","affectedUnitsCount":null,"affectedUnitsBasis":null,"remediationStatus":"outstanding","regulatoryAction":null,"regulatoryBody":null,"propertyDamageEstimateUsd":null,"damageEstimateBasis":null,"bodilyInjurySeverity":null,"fatalityCount":null,"lossCostClass":null,"sourceQualityTier":null,"oshaRecordable":null,"oshaCaseNumber":null,"rootCauseDisclosed":null,"publicDisclosureDate":null,"insuranceClaimPublic":null,"formFactor":"humanoid","latitude":{"s":1,"e":1,"d":[35,5494000]},"longitude":{"s":1,"e":2,"d":[139,7798000]},"autonomyClass":null,"legalOutcomeClass":"unknown","createdAt":"2026-07-16T03:36:55.186Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-09T05:30:14.099Z","model":{"id":"3c593db9-6102-4c29-9be6-172887565abe","companyId":"e0eddc78-26bb-43ae-bfc5-422a414ebd99","modelName":"Unitree G1","slug":"unitree-g1","description":"Unitree's compact full-size humanoid, introduced as a notably low-cost research-grade bipedal platform (base pricing widely reported around $13,500-$16,000). Roughly 130 cm tall, ~35 kg, with a configurable 23-43 degrees of freedom, 3D LiDAR, depth cameras, and athletic capabilities. Widely adopted by universities and labs.","formFactor":"humanoid","industryVertical":null,"environment":null,"maturityStage":"commercial","lifecycleState":"active","supersededByModelId":null,"specs":{"dof":"23-43","mass_kg":35,"dof_range":"23-43","height_cm":130,"runtime_h":"2","weight_kg":"35","drive_mode":"bipedal","payload_kg":3,"runtime_hours":"2","battery_life_hours":2},"manufacturerSerial":null,"reviewStatus":"reviewed","sources":[{"url":"https://www.unitree.com/g1","label":"Unitree — G1","title":"Unitree — G1","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"Unitree Robotics","publishedAt":"2026-01-01"},{"url":"https://humanoid.press/humanoid-press/news/archives-humanoid-robots/","label":"Humanoid Press — Unitree G1 specs and adoption","title":"Humanoid Press — Unitree G1 specs and adoption","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"Humanoid Press","publishedAt":"2026-01-01"},{"url":"https://www.unitree.com/g1/","title":"Unitree G1 humanoid (canonical specs: 1320 mm, ~35 kg, 23-43 DOF, Dex3-1 hand)","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"Unitree (official)"},{"url":"https://spectrum.ieee.org/unitree-g1","title":"Unitree demos new $16k robot (ICRA 2024 reveal/interview)","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"IEEE Spectrum"},{"url":"https://www.therobotreport.com/unitree-robotics-unveils-g1-humanoid-for-16k/","title":"Unitree unveils G1 humanoid for $16K (launch specs)","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"The Robot Report"},{"url":"https://newatlas.com/robotics/unitree-g1-humanoid-robot-mass-production/","title":"Unitree G1 ready to leap into mass production (agility demos)","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"New Atlas"},{"url":"https://www.designboom.com/technology/unitree-mass-production-g1-humanoid-robot-08-27-2024/","title":"Unitree gears up for mass production of G1","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"designboom"},{"url":"https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-humanoid-performs-impressive-kungfu","title":"Unitree humanoid demonstrates kung-fu moves and backflips (KungFu Kid demo)","mediaType":"article","sourceName":"Interesting Engineering"}],"aliases":["G1"],"collisionRisk":"low","reviewNote":null,"manufacturerTermForTeleop":null,"keyFacts":[{"label":"Height","value":"130 cm"},{"label":"Weight","value":"35 kg"},{"label":"DOF","value":"23-43"},{"label":"Payload","value":"3 kg"},{"label":"Battery life","value":"2 hours"},{"label":"Price","value":"$13,500-$16,000"},{"label":"Sensor suite","value":"3D LiDAR and depth cameras"},{"label":"Drive type","value":"bipedal"},{"label":"Availability","value":"BUYABLE — available for direct purchase from Unitree store, the most accessible humanoid robot"},{"label":"Pricing model","value":"One-time purchase (no subscription)"},"Price=$13,500 base (fixed hands); $17,900 with SDK; EDU from $44,000; dexterous hands $65,900-$73,900","BOM cost (Munro teardown)=~$10,000 estimated total bill of materials","QDD actuators=Gear ratios 6:1 to 10:1 (vs 100:1+ for harmonic drives) — backdrivable, in-house designed and manufactured","QDD advantage=Fast iteration (weeks vs 3-6 months for external supply chain); no external motor supplier logos in G1 actuators (SemiAnalysis teardown)","Gross margin=62.91% on humanoid robots (2025); 60.27% overall — software-like margins on hardware","Payload limit=3-5 kg per arm (QDD low gear ratio tradeoff) — disqualifies from heavy manufacturing (20-25 kg typical)","Actuators ported from Go2 Pro robot dog — heat dissipated through aluminum exoskeleton housings","Revenue=¥1.708B (~$253M) in 2025 with ~$89M adjusted net profit — only profitable humanoid robot company","IPO=Shanghai STAR Market, ¥150.80/share (~$22.37), ~$905M raised, ~$9.05B market cap (Aug 2026)","2025 shipments=~5,500 humanoids (company-cited #1 globally); 5,900 in H1 2026 (31% global share, overtaken by AgiBot 44%)"],"createdAt":"2026-05-25T17:24:20.880Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-16T02:26:53.473Z","unitsInFieldClaimed":null,"unitsInFieldVerified":null,"unitsManufacturedClaimed":null,"unitsManufacturedVerified":null,"unitsAsOf":null,"unitsSource":null,"salesModel":null,"priceUndisclosedSince":null,"autonomyClass":"mixed","autonomyStatement":"Unitree G1 humanoid robot swarm performing rapid martial arts choreography, advanced balance","autonomyStatementSource":{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMb8G5Hsi90","date":"2026"},"demoForensics":{"notes":"Unitree's viral videos show G1 robots performing martial arts choreography, dancing, and soccer kicks. These are choreographed demonstrations in controlled lab/film environments. The martial arts \"swarm\" video uses multiple cuts and camera angles. While the balance and locomotion are genuinely impressive (RL-based per Unitree), the videos do not demonstrate autonomous task completion in a work setting. Unitree's YouTube channel (@unitreerobotics) shows product demos but does not claim full autonomy for the G1. The G1 is a $16K developer platform, not a deployed work robot. The viral \"kung fu\" and \"soccer kick\" videos are choreographed performances, not autonomous work. No verified commercial deployment of G1 performing autonomous tasks exists. The H2 Plus (separate dossier) is even further from deployment.","videoUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMb8G5Hsi90","singleTake":"no","environment":"lab","speedAltered":"unclear","autonomyClaimed":"yes","autonomyCorroborated":"no"},"exportControlClass":null,"minCommitment":null,"warrantyTerms":null,"serviceModel":null,"productionRateClaimed":null,"productionRateEvidenced":null,"teleopRatioDisclosed":null,"interventionRateDisclosed":null},"deployment":{"id":"4015074e-5607-4bf7-b8ad-b0200955d76d","modelId":"3c593db9-6102-4c29-9be6-172887565abe","versionId":null,"locationId":"d6a66f2f-bb4a-415a-b2b6-5c01d0a58a36","operatorId":"e0eddc78-26bb-43ae-bfc5-422a414ebd99","ownerId":null,"slug":"unitree-g1-haneda-airport","status":"operational","firstSeen":"2026-05-07T00:00:00.000Z","statusChangeReason":null,"contractType":null,"pilotOutcome":null,"endedAt":null,"unitsOnSite":null,"tasksPerformed":["cleaning"],"shiftStructure":null,"hoursPerDay":8,"siteType":"airport","operatorConfirmed":true,"humanSupervisionOnsite":null,"locationPrecisionTier":"verified_coordinates","deploymentScale":"single","siteEnvironment":"mixed","operatorType":"customer_deployed","sourceQualityTier":2,"manufacturerSerial":null,"reviewStatus":"reviewed","sources":[{"url":"https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/japan-humanoid-robots-haneda-airport","label":"Humanoid robot begins work at Japanese airport to tackle labor crisis","title":"Humanoid robot begins work at Japanese airport to tackle labor crisis","mediaType":"article","publishedAt":"2026-05-07"},{"url":"https://mlq.ai/news/japan-airlines-launches-two-year-humanoid-robot-trial-at-haneda-airport/","label":"Japan Airlines Launches Two-Year Humanoid Robot Trial at Haneda Airport","title":"Japan Airlines Launches Two-Year Humanoid Robot Trial at Haneda Airport","mediaType":"article","publishedAt":"2026-05-07"},{"url":"https://www.heise.de/en/news/Unitree-s-humanoid-G1-robot-works-at-Japanese-airport-11275987.html","label":"Unitree's humanoid G1 robot works at Japanese airport","title":"Unitree's humanoid G1 robot works at Japanese airport","mediaType":"article","publishedAt":"2026-05-19"},{"url":"https://www.techtimes.com/articles/316862/20260519/jal-deploys-unitree-g1-robots-haneda-us-congress-moves-blacklist-supplier-national-security.htm","label":"JAL Deploys Unitree G1 Robots at Haneda","title":"JAL Deploys Unitree G1 Robots at Haneda","mediaType":"article","publishedAt":"2026-05-19"}],"notes":"Japan Airlines (JAL) began deploying Unitree G1 humanoid robots for live ground operations at Tokyo Haneda Airport in May 2026, in partnership with GMO AI & Robotics Corporation (a subsidiary of GMO Internet Group). The G1 units handle baggage and cargo containers on the tarmac; cabin cleaning is a planned next-phase task. The two-year operational trial runs through 2028, making JAL the first commercial airline to run a multi-year humanoid robot trial in active aviation service. The deployment addresses chronic labor shortages at Japan's busiest international airport. The Unitree G1 stands 132 cm tall and weighs 35 kg.","keyFacts":[{"label":"Operations partner","value":"GMO AI & Robotics Corporation"},{"label":"Trial period","value":"May 2026 to 2028 (2 years)"},{"label":"Tasks","value":"Baggage and cargo container handling on tarmac; cabin cleaning planned"},{"label":"Robot spec","value":"132 cm tall, 35 kg"}],"reviewNote":null,"exposureHours":null,"deploymentMilesEstimate":null,"exposureBasis":null,"customerSegment":"logistics","scaleTier":"pilot_lt10","contractValueUsd":null,"contractValueBasis":null,"customerCompanyId":null,"customerExternalName":null,"createdAt":"2026-06-11T15:23:16.290Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-21T17:10:55.468Z"},"company":null,"derived":{"status":"active"},"sources":[{"id":"464f7f85-0bba-43f2-b716-706c85bb4616","incidentId":"b7834707-c098-447a-bc69-9e4e3bb8987c","url":"https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-kicks-man-in-nose","label":"Futurism","publishedAt":"2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z","notes":null,"title":null,"sourceName":"Futurism","mediaType":"article","videoId":null,"channel":null,"durationSec":null,"timestampSec":null,"createdAt":"2026-07-16T03:36:55.186Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-16T03:36:55.186Z"},{"id":"7f6a04c4-6279-4a2c-8205-57624127554a","incidentId":"b7834707-c098-447a-bc69-9e4e3bb8987c","url":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ControlProblem/comments/1r98scg/","label":null,"publishedAt":null,"notes":null,"title":"Unitree G1 robot kicks man in nose causing heavy bleeding","sourceName":"Reddit r/ControlProblem","mediaType":"article","videoId":null,"channel":null,"durationSec":null,"timestampSec":null,"createdAt":"2026-08-09T05:29:56.949Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-09T05:29:56.949Z"}],"responses":[],"statusEvents":[],"jsonLd":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://registry.deploy.report/incidents/unitree-g1-nose-kick-2026-02-18","url":"https://registry.deploy.report/incidents/unitree-g1-nose-kick-2026-02-18","headline":"Unitree G1 humanoid robot kicked a man in the nose causing heavy bleeding after falling and flailing during a public demonstration in China","description":"A Unitree G1 humanoid robot lost balance while performing in front of a crowd in China and flailed its limbs uncontrollably while attempting to recover, striking a man in the nose. The man, who appeared to be the robot's operator, was seen nursing a bleeding nose. The incident highlights a safety flaw in the G1's reinforcement learning recovery policy, which causes the robot to thrash its limbs to stand up after a fall, posing a risk to nearby humans.","identifier":"b7834707-c098-447a-bc69-9e4e3bb8987c","datePublished":"2026-02-18T00:00:00.000Z","articleSection":"injury","publisher":{"@id":"https://deploy.report/#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://deploy.report/#organization"}},"framework_metadata":{"framework_schema_version":"0.1.0","verification_status":"verified","maturity_stage":null,"lifecycle_state":null,"architectural_position":{"cohort":null,"sub_cohorts":[]},"within_cohort_verified_vs_claimed_pair":null,"cap_flags":[],"verification_depth":{"sources_count":2,"primary_source_types":[]}}}