In a futuristic twist at today’s Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Shanghai International Circuit didn’t just host the world’s fastest drivers. It also welcomed two robotic police units: a humanoid robot and a mechanised canine.
Chinese robotics company Unitree introduced its robotic duo, the G1 humanoid and GO2 robotic dog, to the astonishment of motorsport fans and media alike. The robots didn’t just make an appearance—they actively monitored the event, blending sci-fi aesthetics with real-world law enforcement.
The G1, standing at 130cm (4ft 3in), can carry up to 3kg and move at speeds of 2 meters per second. The GO2, its four-legged companion, is even faster—running at 5 meters per second while carrying loads up to 12kg. Both are powered by LiDAR sensors, which allow them to “see” and map their surroundings by bouncing light off nearby objects.
Spectators spotted the robots in action, roaming the paddock and maintaining a silent but unmissable presence. In footage released by Unitree, the G1 demonstrated uncanny agility—dancing gracefully before grabbing a bo staff and twirling it with confidence.
Meanwhile, the GO2 put on a performance of its own. It bounced effortlessly on its legs, balanced on its front paws, and wagged its hind legs in the air, delighting onlookers with a display that was equal parts cute and creepy.
Today’s robotic debut follows another major tech reveal from earlier this week. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang introduced Blue, a duck-walking, two-legged AI robot, at the GTC AI Conference in San Jose, California. Blue, inspired by Star Wars and developed with support from Google and Disney, charmed audiences with bleeping sounds and animated movements. It will soon appear in Disney theme parks across the globe.
Not to be outdone, Boston Dynamics fired back with a jaw-dropping new clip of its humanoid robot Atlas. The video showed Atlas executing cartwheels, forward rolls, and breakdance moves—reminding everyone that the race in robotics innovation is far from over.
Still, the Chinese Grand Prix belonged to Unitree’s robots today. Whether seen as surveillance tools, marketing gimmicks, or the future of policing, they made one thing clear: the robot revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here.