A spinning kick, a clean hit, and a shattered watermelon. That brief moment has turned China’s humanoid robot into a global talking point.
Chinese robotics firm Unitree has released new training footage of its latest humanoid robot, the H2, showing just how far its movement and balance capabilities have come. The video, uploaded to the company’s official YouTube channel on Jan. 4, highlights the robot performing a series of demanding martial arts-style moves.
The standout moment comes when the H2 launches into a 360-degree aerial spinning kick, striking and smashing a watermelon suspended from the ceiling before landing smoothly on its feet. The robot also delivers powerful kicks to sandbags weighing 30 kilograms and 60 kilograms, all while maintaining balance and posture.
Unitree’s H2 shattered a watermelon with a 360-degree aerial spinning kick. Image: Unitree
During one sequence, Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing is seen stepping back as the robot launches forward, a moment that has become widely shared alongside the watermelon smash.
Unitree’s Humanoid robot ‘H2’ performs a flying kick. Image: Unitree
What makes the H2 different
The H2 is Unitree’s next-generation humanoid robot, first unveiled in October last year. It stands about 180 centimeters tall and weighs roughly 70 kilograms, giving it near-human proportions. Visually, it features a more human-like face and refined body design compared to earlier models.
Under the surface, the robot is built with 31 joints spread across its shoulders, torso, arms, and legs. This is an increase from the company’s earlier R1 model, which had 26 joints. The added joints are designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, and overall control during fast and forceful movements.
According to Unitree, the goal of these training videos is to test balance, collision response, and coordinated motion across the entire body under extreme conditions.
Unitree’s H2 kicks punching bags. Image: Unitree
More than a viral stunt
While the watermelon kick has captured public attention, the company frames the demonstration as a technical stress test rather than a performance meant purely for show. High-speed spins, midair strikes, and heavy impacts place intense demands on sensors, actuators, and real-time control systems — areas where humanoid robots have traditionally struggled.
Recent footage has also hinted at Unitree’s broader development goals, including improved dexterous hands and teleoperation systems that allow human operators to guide the robot using wearable controls or mixed-reality devices.
The H2’s latest showcase comes as competition in humanoid robotics continues to heat up, with companies around the world racing to demonstrate faster, stronger, and more agile machines. Unitree’s focus on high-impact, dynamic movements sets its approach apart from slower, more cautious demos seen in the past.
Curious where humanoid robots are headed next? Explore how Chinese researchers are using electronic skin to give robots human-like reflexes.