Jakarta, INTI - Unitree Robotics began selling its cheapest humanoid robot through Alibaba Group's AliExpress platform on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is a part of Unitree’s global expansion strategy amid fierce competition from other big companies like Elon Musk's Tesla Inc.
Unitree Robotics' R1 model is priced at around US$8,150 (approximately Rp139.6 million), including import fees, with free shipping to the United States. The company plans to launch a simpler version for around US$6,800 (approximately Rp116 million). The company said its R1 model will be marketed to countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore through AliExpress.
This move is considered aggressive as Unitree seeks to enter the market that serves as Tesla's base, which is currently developing its humanoid robot, Optimus. The collaboration with Alibaba also comes ahead of its planned initial public offering (IPO) valued at around 4.2 billion yuan (US$615 million) on Shanghai's Star Market.
Chinese Robotics Industry will Lead Global Market
Unitree itself is known as a leader in humanoid robot development in China. According to research firm Omdia, Chinese robot manufacturers will lead global shipment volumes by 2025, surpassing US companies like Tesla and Figure AI. Unitree launched the R1 model in July with three variants, with prices starting at US$4,900 for the simpler R1 Air.
Unitree has previously sold its products internationally through platforms like JD.com's JoyBuy and Amazon. The company is backed by several major investors, including Shunwei Capital, founded by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, as well as Alibaba and Meituan.
Throughout 2025, Unitree sold approximately 5,500 humanoid robots, mostly to universities and research institutions. The high demand for bipedal and quadrupedal robots has driven the company's revenue to surge by more than 300% in a single year.
Earlier this week, Alibaba also entered the robotics industry with plans to develop its own four-legged robot to compete with Unitree's Go series. Furthermore, AliExpress continues to strive to attract more global brands and expand its presence in a market previously dominated by Amazon.
Conclusion
Unitree Robotics begins selling its low-cost R1 humanoid robot through Alibaba Group's AliExpress, expanding its global market and challenging other companies like Tesla. Unitree’s R1 robot starts at around US$8,150, and is being marketed in various countries. The partnership with Alibaba is part of Unitree's aggressive expansion ahead of its IPO, fueled by strong demand for robots that has driven a revenue surge of more than 300%. Meanwhile, Alibaba is also preparing to enter the robotics business, increasing competition in the rapidly growing industry.
Read more: Alibaba will Launch Their First Robot Soon, Ready to Compete in the Robotics Market