Unitree brings transformers to life with world's first manned mecha suit

Chinese robotics company Unitree has unveiled its latest sci-like creation on Tuesday as it debuted the world's first mass-produced transformable humanoid mechanical suit designed for civilian transportation.

An official demo video shows off the impressive abilities of the mecha suit, which the company has dubbed the 'GD01,' bringing the once far-fetched science-fiction notions of the 'Transformers' franchise to life.

The newly-released demonstration video shows Unitree's founder and CEO Wang Xingxing climbing aboard and strapping himself into the mecha suit, which when standing upright is almost twice the size of an average human.

It is seen striding forward at speed and can instantly transform into a four-legged "steel beast" to traverse rugged terrain with a human occupant sitting inside as a pilot, fulfilling a mecha dream. The video clip even shows the high-tech device being able to punch through a brick wall.

Billed as the world's first production ready manned mecha, the GD01 is equipped with a 500-kg-class dynamic balance control system, allowing seamless switching between bipedal and quadrupedal modes, according to Unitree.

The bipedal mode is suitable for walking and turning on urban streets, while the quadrupedal mode can climb stairs, slopes and other complex terrains.

In recent years, China's robotics sector has been continuously advancing, from quadruped robot dogs to humanoid robots, with manned mechas now appearing to be the next stage in the ongoing development of this highly futuristic sector.

The groundbreaking launch of the GD01 has significantly moved up the timeline for the potential commercialization of such manned mechas.

Unitree brings transformers to life with world's first manned mecha suit

China has recorded ten consecutive quarters of growth in imports and exports with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the data for the second quarter of this year from the General Administration of Customs GAC) showed on Tuesday.

China's trade with ASEAN reached 4.34 trillion yuan (about 640 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2026, marking an 18.2-percent increase compared to the same period of last year, according to GAC.

"In the first half of this year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN stood at 4.34 trillion yuan, up 18.2 percent year on year on. Of this total, imports and exports in the second quarter accounted for 2.37 trillion yuan which represented a year-on-year growth of 20.2 percent and marking the 10th consecutive quarter of growth.," said Lyu Daliang, a spokesman for the customs bureau, at a press briefing.

"China and ASEAN have continuously strengthened infrastructure connectivity. In the first half of the year, China's imports and exports with ASEAN via the new western land-sea corridor grew by 18.2 percent, with railway and highway transport increasing by 24.7 percent and 17.5 percent, respectively," Lyu said.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

China records ten consecutive quarters of trade growth with ASEAN