In a major milestone for robotics innovation, Unitree Robotics has unveiled the world’s first humanoid robot app store, enabling users to control and customize humanoid robots directly from their smartphones. The announcement, shared via YouTube, X, and the Chinese platform RedNote, signals a transformative step in making intelligent machines more accessible to developers and ordinary users alike.
The new platform, called the Unitree Robotics Developer Platform, acts as a centralized hub for software, datasets, and remote control tools. It is designed to bring embodied intelligence closer to everyday life, allowing humanoid robots to perform complex actions ranging from martial arts routines to choreographed ballet sequences.
Smartphone Controlled Robots: A Phone First Approach
At the heart of this innovation is a smartphone based interface that allows users to operate humanoid robots remotely. By leveraging phone cameras, operators can guide robot movements and trigger preloaded demonstrations. These include:
- Martial arts-inspired “Bruce Lee” routines
- Classic 1960s dance moves like “The Twist”
- Ballet and contemporary dance performances
The app store is not limited to entertainment. Users can upload, download, and share training datasets and action sequences, creating a collaborative ecosystem similar to modern mobile app stores. This approach encourages community-driven development, allowing robot capabilities to expand rapidly as users adapt and enhance routines.
Unitree Robotics and China’s Robotics Ambitions
Unitree Robotics, based in Hangzhou, has become a prominent symbol of China’s push into advanced robotics. The company, often cited among Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons,” is recognized for reshaping the local tech landscape with innovative robotic solutions.
Initially gaining fame with quadruped robots, Unitree has aggressively expanded into humanoid robotics, drawing attention for both its technological prowess and viral demonstrations.
In November 2025, Unitree founder and CTO Wang Xingxing was appointed to a national robotics committee by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Alongside AgiBot co-founder Peng Zhihui, Wang is considered one of China’s “twin stars” in robotics, highlighting Unitree’s strategic role in shaping national intelligent machine policies.
From Viral Demonstrations to Practical Applications
Unitree’s humanoid robots have gained international attention for their impressive capabilities. In October 2025, the G1 humanoid robot briefly appeared for sale on Walmart’s website before being removed. Later that month, the H2 humanoid robot was showcased performing kickboxing, ballet pirouettes, and even modeling clothing on a catwalk, demonstrating the robots’ highly realistic human like movements.
Beyond entertainment, these demonstrations are part of a broader strategy. Wang has stated that the company plans to enable robots to generate actions in real time based on user instructions, moving beyond pre-programmed sequences. This will allow humanoid robots to perform practical household and workplace tasks such as:
- Fetching items or water
- Tidying tables and organizing spaces
- Assisting in routine chores
The company aims for these capabilities to become widely available as soon as 2026, signaling a rapid path toward commercial-scale adoption.
Accelerating Innovation Through the App Store Model
The Unitree Robotics Developer Platform mirrors the dynamics of smartphone ecosystems, where third-party developers play a critical role in accelerating innovation. Users and developers can:
- Create new action routines for humanoid robots
- Share training datasets and specialized behaviors
- Integrate advanced AI and robotics functions
This open platform approach could significantly shorten the time from research breakthroughs to real-world applications, making sophisticated humanoid robots more versatile and capable.
Unitree’s Financial and Market Ambitions
Alongside technological innovation, Unitree Robotics is preparing for a major financial milestone. The company recently completed a four-month pre initial public offering tutoring process and is targeting a valuation of up to US$7 billion. Unitree plans to list on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style Star Market, with a formal IPO application expected between October and December 2025.
This move underscores both the commercial potential of humanoid robotics and China’s strategic emphasis on supporting high-tech startups that drive national innovation.
Conclusion: A New Era of Humanoid Robotics
Unitree Robotics’ world first humanoid robot app store represents a turning point in human-robot interaction. By combining smartphone control, open developer platforms, and AI-powered action routines, the company is making humanoid robots more accessible, versatile, and practical.
As China continues to prioritize advanced robotics as a national strategic sector, platforms like Unitree’s are expected to accelerate innovation, foster community driven development, and integrate intelligent machines into everyday life, marking a new chapter in the global robotics revolution.