On July 23, 2026, Wang Xingxing, the founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, along with the 2.7-meter-tall manned mecha GD01 developed by his company, were prominently featured on the cover of the renowned TIME magazine in the United States. The headline, "The Robot Era Dawns," captured the essence of a new technological frontier. This significant moment marked the first time in eight years—since Baidu's founder, Robin Li, graced the cover—that a Chinese entrepreneur had been spotlighted on the magazine's front page. TIME magazine described Wang Xingxing as "an unconventional visionary of the AI era," acknowledging his unique contributions to the field.
The GD01, recognized as the world's first mass-produced manned transformable mecha, weighs approximately 500 kilograms and is priced starting at 3.9 million yuan. It is classified as a civilian transportation vehicle, blending cutting-edge technology with practical utility. Wang Xingxing commented that the "ChatGPT moment" for humanoid robots—a reference to a significant breakthrough akin to the impact of the AI language model—may still be 2-10 years away. He emphasized that the technology is currently in its nascent stages and that widespread adoption will require considerable time and development.