Security Flaws Found in Affordable Humanoid Robot Unitree G1

The Unitree G1, a budget-friendly humanoid robot priced at $16,000, is gaining traction in academic and startup circles for its accessibility. Unlike premium rivals like Tesla's Optimus or Boston Dynamics' Atlas, the G1 is designed for practical deployment in labs worldwide.

Researchers from Alias Robotics uncovered critical security vulnerabilities in the G1's architecture. The robot transmits audio, video, and spatial data without user consent, employing a proprietary encryption system with hardcoded keys that can be decrypted offline. These flaws create potential vectors for covert surveillance or cyberattacks.

Unitree Robotics, better known for its quadruped robots, now faces scrutiny as its cost-effective humanoid becomes a testbed for emerging robotics applications—and unintended security risks.