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A humanoid robot has already conquered one towering peak, and now it is preparing for its biggest test yet: Mount Everest.
A modified Unitree G1 humanoid robot named Pemba successfully reached the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador on June 5, completing what project organizers describe as the first stage of a larger mountain-climbing campaign.
Chimborazo stands at more than 6,000 meters above sea level and is widely known as the point on Earth's surface farthest from the planet's center. The climb is being viewed as a major test for Pemba ahead of a planned expedition to Mount Everest later this year.
The robot is part of a project led by Geologic Dome and supported by Eastworlds Labs, the AI robotics initiative of Virtuals Protocol.
Not a fully autonomous climb
Pemba’s journey was not a straightforward solo climb. According to Humanoids Daily and Interesting Engineering, the robot walked autonomously on slopes under 30 degrees, while steeper and more technical sections required human assistance, including being physically carried by expedition members.
The team also made multiple adjustments during the expedition, disassembling and reassembling the robot between camps to move it over difficult terrain. The Unitree G1’s foldable structure, weighing about 35 kg and compact enough to break down to roughly 690 mm, helped make this possible.
Preparing a humanoid robot for extreme altitude required significant modifications. The Unitree G1 was equipped with custom cold-weather clothing, protective enclosures, and specialized feet designed for alpine terrain. Engineers also added a ventilation system intended to help regulate battery temperatures in freezing environments.
According to Interesting Engineering, the robot's autonomy software was trained using Nvidia Isaac Sim, while the machine was also prepared to react to wind turbulence and recover balance on uneven mountain surfaces. During the expedition, communication was maintained through a mesh relay network linking camps, supported by satellite internet connections.
Testing ground for Everest
Chimborazo was not the end goal; it was a proving ground. The expedition is part of a broader “Triple Crown” plan that includes Chimborazo, Mauna Kea in Hawaii, and ultimately Mount Everest, according to project teams cited in Pandaily.
Mount Chimborazo was chosen partly because of its extreme environment. While not the tallest mountain above sea level, it is the farthest point from Earth’s center due to the planet’s equatorial bulge. Engineers say the conditions — strong winds, freezing temperatures, and steep alpine terrain — help simulate some of the challenges expected on Everest.
Everest plans and regulatory challenges
With Chimborazo completed, attention is now shifting to Mount Everest, where the team plans to attempt a full expedition later in October 2026 or possibly April 2027, per Humanoids Daily.
However, the path is not purely technical. Humanoids Daily indicates that Nepal currently lacks a formal regulatory framework for robotic expeditions on Everest, meaning the project team is working directly with authorities to define permissions and safety rules before any ascent can proceed.
A 14-person support team and local logistics partners in Nepal are expected to be involved once approvals are finalized.
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