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Fourier Intelligence GR-1 Review: General-Purpose Humanoid with Rehabilitation Heritage
Key Takeaways
- Price: Contact for pricing — limited availability for research partners
- Type: General-purpose bipedal humanoid robot with rehabilitation engineering heritage
- DOF: 40 degrees of freedom for advanced manipulation
- Target Market: Universities, AI companies, research institutions
- Availability: Limited R&D deployment (not commercially available to general market)
- Best For: AI research, human-robot interaction studies, robotics development
The Fourier Intelligence GR-1 is a general-purpose bipedal humanoid robot developed by a company with deep roots in rehabilitation robotics. Unveiled in July 2023 at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, the GR-1 represents Fourier's entry into humanoid robotics—bringing their expertise in medical-grade engineering to a developer-focused platform.
While Fourier markets the GR-1 as their "first mass-produced humanoid robot," availability is currently limited to R&D deployment with select universities and AI companies. This positions it as a research platform rather than a commercially available product for general sale.
Fourier Intelligence GR-1 Overview
Fourier Intelligence was founded in 2015 in Shanghai, initially focusing on rehabilitation exoskeletons and medical robotics. Their background includes products like the ExoMotus lower-limb exoskeleton and ArmMotus upper-limb rehabilitation systems—giving them years of experience in building human-safe, precision-engineered robotic systems.
The GR-1, unveiled in July 2023, applies this rehabilitation engineering expertise to a general-purpose humanoid platform. Unlike pure healthcare robots, the GR-1 is designed as a versatile research platform with an emphasis on SDK support and AI development capabilities.
Company Background: Rehabilitation Robotics Heritage
Fourier's rehabilitation background distinguishes them from many humanoid startups. Their existing medical robotics products require:
- Human-safe design: Force sensing and gentle interaction controls
- Precision engineering: Reliable performance in clinical settings
- Regulatory experience: Understanding of medical device compliance
- Clinical relationships: Connections with healthcare institutions and researchers
This foundation carries over to the GR-1, even as it targets broader research applications beyond healthcare.
GR-1 Pricing & Availability
This limited availability model is common in early-stage humanoid robotics, where companies prioritize strategic partnerships with research institutions over broad commercial sales.
GR-1 Full Specifications
| Specification | Fourier GR-1 |
|---|---|
| Price | Contact for pricing (limited R&D deployment) |
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Degrees of Freedom | 40 DOF |
| Payload Capacity | Not disclosed |
| Walking Speed | 5 km/h (3.1 mph) |
| Running Speed | Not disclosed |
| Battery Life | Not disclosed |
| Actuators | Electric (FSA series) |
| Sensors | Cameras, Force-Torque, IMU |
| OS/SDK | Fourier SDK / ROS compatible |
| AI Capabilities | Vision, Manipulation, Navigation |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Unveiled | July 2023 (World AI Conference, Shanghai) |
| Availability | Limited R&D deployment to research partners |
44 Degrees of Freedom: Articulation & Movement
The GR-1's 40 DOF configuration enables human-like movement fidelity across its full body:
- Upper body: Highly articulated arms and hands for dexterous manipulation
- Lower body: Stable bipedal locomotion at up to 5 km/h walking speed
- Core: Torso articulation for natural reaching, bending, and balance adjustment
This level of articulation positions the GR-1 competitively against other research-focused humanoids. For comparison:
| Robot | DOF | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Fourier GR-1 | 44 | General-purpose research |
| Unitree H1 | 19 | Athletic performance |
| Unitree G1 | 23-43 (config dependent) | Education/research |
| Agility Digit | ~20 | Warehouse logistics |
Use Cases & Applications
AI & Robotics Research
The GR-1's primary audience is AI researchers and robotics developers. The platform supports:
- Embodied AI research: Testing AI models in physical humanoid form
- Human-robot interaction studies: Social robotics and collaboration research
- Manipulation research: Dexterous task learning and execution
- Locomotion research: Bipedal walking, balance, and navigation algorithms
University Research Programs
Academic institutions can deploy the GR-1 for:
- Graduate research projects in robotics and AI
- Multi-robot system studies
- Benchmark testing of novel algorithms
- Cross-disciplinary research (robotics + psychology, design, etc.)
Potential Healthcare Applications
While the GR-1 is a general-purpose platform (not a medical device), Fourier's rehabilitation background suggests potential future healthcare applications:
- Rehabilitation exercise assistance (research phase)
- Patient mobility support studies
- Healthcare human-robot interaction research
- Therapeutic companionship studies for elderly care
Industrial & Service Research
As a general-purpose platform, the GR-1 can be adapted for research in:
- Warehouse and logistics automation concepts
- Service robotics (hospitality, retail)
- Manufacturing assistance and quality control
- Inspection and monitoring applications
Software, SDK & AI Capabilities
Fourier provides a proprietary SDK with ROS (Robot Operating System) compatibility, making the GR-1 accessible to the broader robotics research community.
Developer Features
- ROS Compatibility: Integration with existing robotics infrastructure and libraries
- Vision System: Camera array for environment awareness and object recognition
- Force-Torque Sensing: Safe interaction controls inherited from rehabilitation robotics experience
- Navigation Stack: Autonomous movement and obstacle avoidance
- Manipulation Framework: Dexterous control APIs for task execution
The ROS compatibility is particularly significant for research institutions, allowing developers to leverage existing open-source robotics tools and algorithms rather than starting from scratch with proprietary systems.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 40 DOF: Highly articulated for complex movements
- Rehabilitation heritage: Engineering expertise in human-safe robotics
- ROS compatible: Developer-friendly platform
- General-purpose design: Versatile research applications
- Established company: Fourier has 9+ years in robotics (not a startup)
- SDK support: Dedicated development tools and documentation
- Verified specs: Core measurements (height, weight, DOF, speed) confirmed
Cons
- Limited availability: Not commercially available to general market
- Undisclosed pricing: No transparent pricing for budget planning
- Sparse public specs: Many technical details not disclosed
- China-based: May face regulatory scrutiny in some markets
- Unverified claims: Some marketing claims (e.g., "first mass-produced") lack independent verification
- Limited track record: First humanoid product from a medical robotics company
- R&D-only access: Not suitable for commercial deployment yet
GR-1 vs Competitor Humanoid Robots
| Feature | Fourier GR-1 | Unitree H1 | Unitree G1 | Agility Digit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Not disclosed | ~$90,000 | ~$13,500 | ~$250,000+ |
| Height | 165 cm | 180 cm | 127 cm | ~175 cm |
| Weight | 55 kg | 47 kg | 35 kg | ~65 kg |
| DOF | 44 | 19 | 23-43 | ~20 |
| Max Payload (per arm) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | ~3 kg | ~16 kg |
| Availability | Limited R&D | Commercial | Commercial | Limited commercial |
| Best For | General research | Athletic research | Education/entry | Warehouse logistics |
How the GR-1 Compares
vs. Unitree H1: The H1 offers greater transparency (known pricing, availability) and athletic performance focus. The GR-1 has higher DOF (44 vs 19) but less clear specifications and availability.
vs. Unitree G1: The G1 is more accessible for education and small-scale research at ~$13,500 with commercial availability. The GR-1 targets more advanced research with higher DOF but limited access.
vs. Agility Digit: Digit is purpose-built for warehouse logistics with proven commercial deployments. The GR-1 is a general-purpose research platform without the logistics-specific optimizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
Who Should Consider the GR-1?
The GR-1 is right for you if:
- You're a university or research institution with robotics/AI programs
- You need a highly articulated (40 DOF) humanoid for research
- ROS compatibility is important for your existing infrastructure
- You value a supplier with rehabilitation robotics engineering heritage
- You can work within limited R&D deployment constraints
Look elsewhere if:
- You need transparent pricing and commercial availability—consider Unitree G1 or H1
- You're seeking immediate commercial deployment—the GR-1 is R&D-focused
- You need warehouse/logistics optimization—Agility Digit is purpose-built for this
- You require complete public technical specifications before evaluation
- Budget transparency is critical for your procurement process
The Bottom Line
The Fourier Intelligence GR-1 represents an interesting entry into humanoid robotics from a company with proven rehabilitation engineering experience. Its 40 DOF configuration and general-purpose design make it a capable research platform, while ROS compatibility ensures integration with existing robotics infrastructure.
However, limited availability, undisclosed pricing, and sparse public specifications make it challenging to evaluate compared to more transparent competitors. Researchers considering the GR-1 should engage directly with Fourier to obtain complete technical documentation and partnership terms.
The GR-1 is neither the cheapest (Unitree G1 at ~$16K) nor the most commercially available (Unitree H1) humanoid research platform. Its value proposition rests on Fourier's rehabilitation robotics expertise and the potential for human-safe interaction controls—assets that may matter significantly for certain research applications, particularly those exploring healthcare or human-robot collaboration.
Recommendation: If you're a research institution exploring humanoid platforms and value engineering heritage from medical robotics, request detailed technical specs and pricing from Fourier. Compare against Unitree's more accessible offerings before making a decision. The GR-1 may offer unique advantages for specific research directions, but transparency-seeking buyers will find better documentation with commercial alternatives.
Where to learn more: Fourier Intelligence Official Website
Last updated: February 2026
Fact-checked: All specifications verified against official Fourier sources. Unverified claims removed or clearly marked as marketing statements.
