The G1 humanoid robot, crafted by China's Unitree Technology, has made its debut on Walmart's US website. The base model comes with a price tag of $21,600 (roughly equivalent to RMB 154,000), in contrast to its domestic price of RMB 99,000. This robot stands out due to its cost-effectiveness and outstanding performance, making it the go-to experimental platform for leading-edge developers at a multitude of universities and research institutions across the globe.

This move is in line with Unitree Technology's broader strategy of minimizing obstacles in robot development. The company is on the verge of launching the more budget-friendly R1 model. By offering the G1 through Walmart, the procurement process becomes far more accessible, fostering the growth of a developer ecosystem. While it's improbable that the average consumer will rush to buy it in the near future, this development is a clear indicator of the maturity of robot technology. It may well serve as a catalyst for its accelerated evolution down the line.