Chinese robotics company Unitree has unveiled a new humanoid prototype to the world that instantly captured the attention of the entire industry. The model in question, which has earned the unofficial nickname "Superman," can reach running speeds of up to 12.66 m/s and perform a standing vertical jump of two meters. For comparison, these figures exceed current world records in human athletics, making this project a true breakthrough in the field of dynamic robot mobility.
According to my information, it took Unitree's engineers just over three months to develop this humanoid. However, it is important to emphasize that "Superman" remains an experimental prototype for now, and the team continues to refine and optimize it. The announcement was deliberately made on the eve of the World Robotics Conference in Beijing, which opens on August 19, 2026, underscoring the company's strategic positioning on the global stage.
The presentation of "Superman" is not just a demonstration of engineering ambition. It is a clear signal to the market of Unitree's technological superiority, backed by financial developments. On August 19, 2026, the company's shares will begin trading on the STAR Market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The IPO was oversubscribed by retail investors more than 8,000 times, with the probability of an ordinary participant receiving shares at just about 0.018%. The offering price is set at 150.8 yuan per share, valuing the company at approximately 61 billion yuan (about $9 billion). Through the process, Unitree will raise around 6.1 billion yuan (~$905 million) before fees. Key institutional investors include Tencent, Alibaba, and DeepSeek, reflecting a high degree of trust from technology sector giants.
Interestingly, even before trading began, derivative instruments on offshore markets pointed to a powerful debut. The STAR50 index, which includes leading high-tech companies, has risen about 15% from its early August three-month low, creating a favorable backdrop for Unitree's stock market entry. As of July 2026, the company has produced a total of approximately 18,000 bipedal humanoid robots across various models, confirming its status as one of the leaders in mass production in this niche.
It is worth noting that earlier in August, AgiBot claimed primacy in the global humanoid market, leading to discussions about the methods of counting products from the two leading players. Nevertheless, the current announcement of "Superman" combined with a successful listing strengthens Unitree's position as a technology major.
My view: Demonstrating physical capabilities that surpass human ones is an important step toward commercializing robots in fields requiring extreme mobility, such as search-and-rescue operations or logistics. However, the key indicator here is not running speed, but the company's ability to scale production while maintaining quality. If Unitree manages to sustain its output pace, we will witness a fundamental shift in the perception of humanoid robotics as a mass-market product.