The Tesla Optimus and Unitree G1 represent two fundamentally different approaches to building humanoid robots. One is backed by the world's most valuable automaker and its ambitious CEO; the other comes from a scrappy Chinese robotics startup that has already shipped thousands of units. As of January 2026, the gap between these two robots — in availability, pricing, and real-world deployment — tells an important story about the state of humanoid robotics.
This comprehensive comparison covers every meaningful difference between the Tesla Optimus and Unitree G1: specifications, pricing, AI capabilities, real-world applications, and the latest 2025–2026 developments. Whether you're a researcher, business buyer, or robotics enthusiast, this guide will help you understand exactly where each robot stands today.
Key Takeaways
- Unitree G1 is available now starting at ~$16,000. Tesla Optimus is not yet commercially available — Musk has estimated a ~$30,000 price point when it eventually ships.
- Tesla Optimus Gen 2 stands 5'8" (173 cm) and weighs 57 kg. The Unitree G1 is significantly smaller at 127 cm and 35 kg, designed as a compact research and light-duty platform.
- Unitree G1 features up to 43 degrees of freedom with force-controlled three-finger hands. Tesla Optimus Gen 3 hands (2024) have 22 degrees of freedom.
- Unitree G1 is faster: 12 km/h max speed vs. Tesla Optimus at ~8 km/h (5 mph).
- Tesla Optimus leverages Tesla's FSD AI stack and massive data pipeline. Unitree G1 uses reinforcement learning and imitation learning but lacks a comparable AI ecosystem.
- Security concerns have emerged around Unitree products, with backdoor vulnerabilities discovered in 2025 and a U.S. congressional investigation into alleged PLA ties.
- Tesla plans to deploy 1,000+ Optimus units internally in 2025 and explore external sales in 2026. Musk has also announced sending an Optimus to Mars in 2026.
Tesla Optimus vs Unitree G1: Complete Specs Comparison
Before diving into the details, here's a side-by-side comparison of every key specification:
| Specification | Tesla Optimus (Gen 2) | Unitree G1 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 173 cm (5'8") | 127 cm (4'2") |
| Weight | 57 kg (125 lb) | 35 kg (77 lb) |
| Degrees of Freedom | 28+ (Gen 2); Gen 3 hands: 22 DOF | Up to 43 (with advanced hands) |
| Max Walking Speed | ~8 km/h (5 mph) | 12 km/h (7.5 mph) |
| Payload Capacity | ~20 kg (45 lb) | ~3 kg (hands); 40+ kg walking load |
| Hand Design | 11 DOF (Gen 2); 22 DOF (Gen 3) | Force-controlled 3-finger (optional upgrade) |
| Battery Life | ~2–4 hours (estimated) | ~1–2 hours (estimated) |
| AI System | Tesla FSD neural network stack | Reinforcement learning + imitation learning |
| Sensors | Cameras, IMU, force/torque sensors | 3D LiDAR, depth camera, IMU, joint sensors |
| Price | ~$30,000 (estimated, not on sale) | Starting at $16,000 |
| Availability | Not commercially available (Jan 2026) | Available now — shipping worldwide |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. (USA) | Unitree Robotics (China) |
| Primary Use Case | Factory automation, home assistance (future) | Research, education, light commercial tasks |
Design Philosophy: Two Very Different Robots
Tesla Optimus and Unitree G1 are built around fundamentally different design philosophies, and understanding this context is crucial for any comparison.
Tesla Optimus: Full-Size Factory Worker
Tesla Optimus is designed to be a full-size humanoid that can operate in human-scale environments — factories, warehouses, and eventually homes. At 173 cm tall, it's roughly the height of an average adult human. Tesla's approach is to leverage its existing AI stack from Full Self-Driving (FSD) and its massive compute infrastructure (Dojo supercomputer) to create a general-purpose robot that can learn new tasks through neural network training.
The Gen 2 Optimus (December 2023) featured a slimmer, lighter build with improved actuators and Tesla-designed hands with 11 degrees of freedom. By late 2024, Tesla showcased Gen 3 hands with 22 degrees of freedom — a significant leap in dexterity that brings Optimus closer to human-like manipulation capabilities.
However, it's critical to note: as of January 2026, Tesla Optimus is not commercially available. Tesla has been deploying small numbers internally in its factories, and Musk announced plans for 1,000+ units to be used at Tesla facilities. But you cannot buy one.
Unitree G1: Compact, Affordable, Available Now
Unitree G1 takes a completely different approach. At just 127 cm tall and 35 kg, it's a compact humanoid designed primarily for research institutions, universities, and developers who need a capable, affordable bipedal platform. It sacrifices the full human-scale form factor for portability, safety, and — critically — a price point that actually makes purchase feasible.
Released in August 2024 at a starting price of $16,000, the G1 was a breakthrough moment for accessible humanoid robotics. Its predecessor, the Unitree H1, sold for over $90,000. The G1 brought the cost down by more than 80% while retaining impressive capabilities: up to 43 degrees of freedom, force-controlled three-finger hands (optional), and advanced locomotion that can handle uneven terrain.
The G1 is an evolution of the H1 platform, optimized for mass production. Unitree has deep experience in volume manufacturing from its popular Go1 and Go2 quadruped robots, and that expertise shows in the G1's polished, production-ready design.
Limb Articulation and Movement
The number of degrees of freedom (DOF) directly determines how fluidly and precisely a humanoid robot can move. This is one area where the Unitree G1 has a clear numerical advantage.
The Unitree G1, in its advanced configuration, features 43 joint motors across its body. This gives it exceptional range of motion — it can perform complex movements like crossing uneven terrain, stepping over 40 cm obstacles, and recovering from physical disturbances (being pushed or kicked). Unitree has demonstrated the G1 performing backflips (on the H1 platform) and navigating messy woodpiles, showcasing impressive agility for a humanoid.
Tesla Optimus Gen 2 has approximately 28 degrees of freedom in its body, with the newer Gen 3 hands adding 22 DOF for a total hand dexterity that's approaching the G1's three-finger system. Tesla's approach focuses on smooth, deliberate movements optimized for factory tasks — picking up items, sorting, carrying loads — rather than the dynamic acrobatics Unitree demonstrates.
In practical terms: the G1 is more agile; the Optimus is designed for heavier-duty, sustained work.
Hand Capabilities and Dexterity
Hands are arguably the most important component of a humanoid robot for real-world usefulness. Both companies have invested heavily here.
The Unitree G1's optional three-finger hands are force-controlled, meaning they can sense and adjust grip pressure in real time. Unitree has demonstrated the G1 performing tasks like cracking walnuts, opening bottles, flipping food in a pan, and handling delicate objects. The three-finger design provides a good balance between simplicity and capability — fewer actuators than a five-finger hand, but enough articulation for most manipulation tasks.
Tesla's Gen 3 Optimus hands (showcased in late 2024) represent a major upgrade: 22 degrees of freedom with improved tactile sensing. Tesla demonstrated egg handling without breaking — a classic robotics benchmark. Earlier demos showed wire soldering and shirt folding (though the latter was later revealed to involve teleoperation). The five-finger design theoretically allows for more human-like grasping, but it also introduces greater mechanical complexity.
The key difference: Tesla's hands are more ambitious in design, but the Optimus isn't available for purchase. Unitree's G1 hands are less complex but are shipping in a real product today.
Speed and Locomotion
Speed matters for practical applications, especially in dynamic environments like warehouses, emergency response, or outdoor settings.
| Metric | Tesla Optimus | Unitree G1 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Walking Speed | ~8 km/h (5 mph) | 12 km/h (7.5 mph) |
| Terrain Handling | Flat surfaces, factory floors | Uneven terrain, obstacles up to 40 cm |
| Balance Recovery | Demonstrated basic push recovery | Demonstrated robust recovery from kicks, pushes |
| Stair Climbing | Demonstrated (limited) | Demonstrated on various surfaces |
The Unitree G1 is 50% faster than Tesla Optimus at maximum speed. It also handles rough terrain more capably, thanks to its lighter weight and lower center of gravity. The G1's compact size (127 cm) and 35 kg weight make it inherently more stable and easier to balance dynamically.
Tesla Optimus, being taller and heavier, is designed for a more deliberate pace suited to factory environments where speed is less important than precision and payload capacity.
AI and Learning Capabilities
This is where Tesla's vision diverges most dramatically from Unitree's current offering.
Tesla's AI Advantage
Tesla's single greatest asset in robotics is its AI infrastructure. The Optimus robot is controlled by the same neural network architecture that powers Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system — the same end-to-end AI that processes camera inputs and makes driving decisions in millions of Tesla vehicles on the road.
This gives Tesla several unique advantages:
- Massive training data: Tesla's fleet of vehicles generates enormous amounts of real-world visual and spatial data that can be repurposed for robot training.
- Dojo supercomputer: Tesla's custom AI training hardware can process robot training workloads at scale.
- End-to-end neural networks: Rather than relying on hand-coded behaviors, Tesla aims to train Optimus to learn tasks through observation, similar to how FSD learns driving.
- Simulation-to-real transfer: Tesla has invested heavily in simulated environments for training Optimus before deploying in the real world.
The promise is enormous: a robot that can learn almost any task by watching humans do it. But as of January 2026, this vision is largely unrealized. Many of Tesla's impressive Optimus demos have relied on teleoperation (human remote control) rather than autonomous behavior — a fact competitors and critics have repeatedly highlighted.
Unitree G1's AI Approach
Unitree G1 uses a combination of reinforcement learning (RL) and imitation learning for locomotion and basic task execution. The robot ships with a capable sensor suite including 3D LiDAR, depth cameras, and IMU sensors that enable spatial awareness and navigation.
The G1 is designed as an open platform for researchers and developers. This means users can program custom behaviors, integrate their own AI models, and build on top of Unitree's base capabilities. For the academic and research market, this flexibility is extremely valuable — it's why you see Unitree robots in universities worldwide.
However, Unitree doesn't have anything approaching Tesla's AI infrastructure. The G1's learning capabilities are more conventional: effective for specific tasks, but lacking the grand vision of a general-purpose AI-driven humanoid.
Pricing and Availability (January 2026 Update)
This is the single most important practical difference between these two robots.
| Factor | Tesla Optimus | Unitree G1 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | ~$30,000 (Musk estimate, Oct 2024) | $16,000 |
| Advanced Version | N/A (not on sale) | Higher with 3-finger hands, extra sensors |
| Available to Buy? | ❌ No (internal Tesla use only) | ✅ Yes — shipping worldwide |
| Expected External Sale | 2026–2027 (speculative) | Available now |
| Shipping | N/A | International shipping available |
Tesla Optimus Pricing History
Elon Musk's price estimates for Optimus have shifted over time:
- 2022: Musk initially suggested $20,000–$25,000, positioning it as "less than half the price of a car."
- October 2024 ("We, Robot" event): Musk revised the estimate upward to approximately $30,000.
- 2025: Tesla deployed 1,000+ units internally but made no commercial sales. The head of the Optimus program, Milan Kovac, resigned in June 2025 and was replaced by Ashok Elluswamy from the Autopilot team.
- January 2026: No commercial availability. External sales may begin in 2026 or later.
Unitree G1 Pricing
The Unitree G1 has been available since August 2024 at a starting price of approximately $16,000. The base model includes the standard body and basic hands. The advanced version with force-controlled three-finger hands, additional sensors, and enhanced software commands a premium but remains far below what Tesla Optimus is expected to cost.
For context, the G1's predecessor — the Unitree H1 — sold for over $90,000, making the G1's pricing a genuine industry disruption. You can check current G1 pricing and availability on Robozaps.
Latest Developments (2025–2026)
Both robots have seen significant developments since their initial launches. Here's what's happened through early 2026:
Tesla Optimus: 2025–2026 Timeline
- March 2025: Elon Musk announced that an Optimus robot would be sent to Mars in 2026 aboard a SpaceX Starship — an audacious claim that underscores Tesla's long-term vision but has drawn skepticism.
- May 2025: Tesla shared footage of Optimus performing factory tasks including battery cell sorting and parts transport.
- June 2025: Milan Kovac, who had led the Optimus program since its inception in 2022, left Tesla. He was replaced by Ashok Elluswamy, the head of Tesla's Autopilot team — a signal that Tesla is more tightly integrating its vehicle AI and robotics efforts.
- Late 2024: Gen 3 Optimus hands with 22 degrees of freedom were demonstrated, a major improvement in manipulation capability.
- October 2024: At the "We, Robot" event, Optimus robots interacted with crowds but critics noted heavy reliance on teleoperation.
Unitree G1 and Unitree Robotics: 2025–2026 Timeline
- January 2025: Unitree showcased the G1, H1, Go2, and B2-W at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, signaling expanded international ambitions.
- 2025 product line expansion: Unitree introduced three new robots in 2025: the R1, A2, and H2 — expanding beyond the G1 into additional form factors.
- April 2025: Security researchers discovered backdoors in Unitree products allowing potential remote access to devices on the same network. Unitree claimed it was an unintentional vulnerability and patched it.
- May 2025: The U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition requested investigations into Unitree's alleged connections to the People's Liberation Army and China's military-civil fusion programs. Unitree has denied selling products to the PLA.
- July 2025: Unitree began IPO tutoring with CITIC Securities, signaling preparations for a potential Hong Kong stock listing.
- September 2025: Security researchers published findings that the G1 collects and transmits multi-modal sensor data without notifying operators. A separate wormable BLE vulnerability was discovered that could allow nearby attackers to gain full control of Unitree robots.
- July 2025: Unitree won a WIPO Global Award for information and communications technology.
Security and Privacy Concerns
The security issues around Unitree products deserve their own section, as they may significantly impact purchasing decisions — particularly for government, military, or sensitive commercial buyers.
In 2025, multiple security research teams found serious vulnerabilities in Unitree robots:
- Backdoor access (April 2025): Researchers alleged Unitree had embedded backdoors that allowed the company to remotely access devices — and potentially other devices on the same network. Unitree claimed this was unintentional.
- Data exfiltration (September 2025): The G1 humanoid was found to collect and transmit multi-modal sensor data without operator notification — a serious concern for any deployment in sensitive environments.
- Wormable BLE vulnerability (September 2025): A critical vulnerability allowed attackers in physical proximity to gain full control of Unitree Go2, B2, G1, and H1 robots via Bluetooth Low Energy. Compromised robots could then infect other nearby robots. As of late September 2025, Unitree had not commented on this vulnerability.
Additionally, the U.S. Congress has raised concerns about Unitree's potential ties to the Chinese military, requesting federal investigations in May 2025.
Tesla Optimus, being manufactured in the United States and not yet commercially available, has not faced comparable security scrutiny — though any networked robot will eventually face similar concerns.
Real-World Applications
Where Tesla Optimus Fits
Tesla's vision for Optimus is ambitious:
- Factory automation: The primary near-term use case. Optimus is being tested in Tesla's own factories for tasks like battery cell sorting, parts transport, and assembly assistance.
- Warehouse logistics: Picking, packing, and organizing goods.
- Home assistance: Musk's long-term vision includes household tasks — cooking, cleaning, caregiving — though this is years away from practical reality.
- Space exploration: Musk has announced plans to send Optimus to Mars, which would make it the first humanoid robot deployed on another planet (if it happens).
Where Unitree G1 Fits
The G1's current market is more defined and practical:
- Academic research: Universities use the G1 for locomotion research, AI development, human-robot interaction studies, and computer vision experiments.
- Robotics education: The $16,000 price point makes it accessible for educational institutions that previously couldn't afford humanoid platforms.
- Light commercial tasks: Reception, guided tours, customer assistance, and demonstrations.
- Developer platform: The G1 serves as a foundation for developers building custom humanoid applications.
- Entertainment and events: Trade shows, exhibitions, and technology demonstrations.
Competitors to Consider
The Tesla Optimus and Unitree G1 don't exist in isolation. The humanoid robotics market is rapidly expanding. Here are the key competitors:
- Boston Dynamics Atlas: The most advanced humanoid robot in terms of athletic capability. The new electric Atlas (2024) is designed for commercial deployment but carries a premium price far above the G1.
- Figure 02: Figure AI's second-generation humanoid integrates OpenAI models for conversational AI and task planning. Recently secured massive funding and BMW factory deployments.
- Agility Robotics Digit: Purpose-built for warehouse logistics, Digit is already in pilot deployments at Amazon facilities.
- Astribot S1: A Chinese humanoid focused on upper-body dexterity and manipulation tasks.
- Unitree H2: Unitree's own next-generation full-size humanoid, launched in 2025, offering a larger form factor than the G1.
For a complete overview, see our guide to Tesla Optimus alternatives and competitors.
Which Should You Choose?
The honest answer depends on what you need — and when you need it.
| If You Need... | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A humanoid robot you can buy right now | Unitree G1 | It's the only one commercially available |
| A research and education platform | Unitree G1 | Open platform, $16K starting price, global shipping |
| The most advanced AI-driven humanoid | Tesla Optimus (future) | Tesla's AI stack is unmatched — but it's not available yet |
| Factory/warehouse automation | Wait and evaluate | Optimus, Figure, and Digit are all targeting this space. None are fully proven at scale. |
| A full-size humanoid for real-world deployment | Wait for Optimus or alternatives | The G1 is too small (127 cm) for many adult-scale tasks |
| Maximum security and data sovereignty | Avoid Unitree (for now) | The 2025 security vulnerabilities and U.S. government scrutiny are significant concerns |
The Bottom Line
As of January 2026, the Tesla Optimus vs Unitree G1 comparison is less about which robot is "better" and more about which robot exists as a purchasable product. The Unitree G1 is real, shipping, and affordable at $16,000. The Tesla Optimus is a compelling vision backed by enormous resources, but it remains an internal prototype with no commercial availability and a history of missed timelines.
For researchers, educators, and developers who need a humanoid robot today, the Unitree G1 is the clear practical choice — provided you're comfortable with the security concerns that emerged in 2025. For those waiting for the most capable general-purpose humanoid, Tesla Optimus represents the highest ceiling, but requires patience and a willingness to bet on Elon Musk's timeline promises.
The humanoid robotics race is accelerating rapidly. By the end of 2026, we'll likely see commercial availability from multiple players — Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Unitree's own H2. The best time to enter this market is now; the best robot to buy depends entirely on your timeline and use case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy the Tesla Optimus robot right now?
No. As of January 2026, Tesla Optimus is not available for commercial purchase. Tesla is using Optimus internally in its own factories and has discussed potential external sales beginning in 2026, but no firm date or ordering process has been announced. Elon Musk estimated a price of approximately $30,000 at the October 2024 "We, Robot" event.
How much does the Unitree G1 cost?
The Unitree G1 starts at approximately $16,000 for the base model. The advanced version — which includes force-controlled three-finger hands, additional sensors, and enhanced software — costs more. You can check current pricing on Robozaps. Optional accessories, international shipping, and taxes may add to the total cost.
Is the Unitree G1 safe to use? What about the security issues?
In 2025, security researchers discovered multiple vulnerabilities in Unitree products, including potential backdoors, unauthorized data collection, and a wormable Bluetooth vulnerability. Unitree patched the initial backdoor issue but had not addressed all concerns as of late 2025. If you're deploying a G1 in a sensitive environment, isolate it from your network and monitor for firmware updates. Government and defense buyers should exercise particular caution given the ongoing U.S. congressional investigation.
What is the difference between Unitree G1 and Unitree H1?
The Unitree H1 is a full-size humanoid (180 cm tall) that sold for over $90,000. The G1 is a smaller (127 cm), lighter (35 kg), and vastly cheaper ($16,000) humanoid designed for research and light-duty applications. The G1 retains many of the H1's capabilities in a more accessible package. In 2025, Unitree also introduced the H2, a next-generation full-size humanoid.
How does Tesla Optimus compare to Boston Dynamics Atlas?
Boston Dynamics' new electric Atlas (2024) is arguably the most physically capable humanoid robot in terms of athleticism and dynamic movement. Unlike Tesla Optimus, Atlas is designed by a company with decades of bipedal robotics experience. However, Atlas is not being marketed as a consumer or mass-market product — it targets commercial and industrial applications at a premium price point. For a detailed breakdown, see our Tesla Optimus vs Boston Dynamics Atlas comparison.
Will Tesla Optimus be sent to Mars?
In March 2025, Elon Musk announced plans to send an Optimus robot to Mars in 2026 aboard a SpaceX Starship rocket. If this happens, Optimus would be the first humanoid robot deployed on another planet. However, given Tesla's history of ambitious timeline announcements that often face delays, many observers remain skeptical about the 2026 target.
Which robot is better for university research?
The Unitree G1 is the clear choice for university research as of January 2026. It's available, affordable ($16,000), compact, and designed as an open development platform. Tesla Optimus isn't available for purchase and isn't designed as an open research platform. Many universities worldwide already use Unitree robots for locomotion research, AI development, and human-robot interaction studies.
What new Unitree robots were released in 2025?
Unitree expanded its product line in 2025 with three new robots: the R1, A2, and H2. The H2 is particularly notable as a next-generation full-size humanoid that succeeds the H1. Unitree also continued development of its popular Go2 quadruped platform and showcased its full lineup at CES 2025.
Related: Tesla Optimus Gen 2 Review · Unitree G1 Review: Pros, Cons and How it Compares · Figure 01 vs Unitree G1 · Tesla Optimus Alternatives
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