Robot maker deepens European presence

Unitree Robotics is strengthening its presence in Europe, as demand for advanced quadruped and humanoid robots expands from academic research into industrial and commercial applications, according to its Europe-based distributors, engineers, and company executives.

The Chinese robotics company, which has gained global recognition for its agile quadruped platforms and fast-developing humanoid robots, is increasingly positioning Europe as a core overseas market.

While early adoption was driven mainly by universities and research institutes, demand is now shifting toward logistics, manufacturing, and service-oriented industrial uses.

Industry participants say this transition reflects both rapid technological maturation and growing international confidence in Chinese robotics capabilities.

"Unitree is definitely one of our best-selling product lines," said Daniel Kottlarz, a long-term European distributor. "Today, demand is so strong that we are selling more units than we can currently receive."

Unitree Robotics' European story began well before humanoid robots entered mainstream discussions.

Kottlarz recalls first encountering the company in 2016, when founder Wang Xingxing published early research on low-cost quadruped robots.

"I was studying electronics at the time and found the technology fascinating," Kottlarz said. "So, I sent him an email asking where I could buy one."

At that time, commercial production had not yet begun.

"Wang replied and told me he was still in the process of founding what later became Unitree Robotics," he said.