A towering rideable robot that walks with a person inside and smashes through bricks is the kind of thing that makes you look twice and ask, “Wait, are they really selling that?”

That is exactly what Unitree is showing with the GD01, a manned, transformable robot built to carry a passenger and shift from a two-legged stance into a four-legged form. It looks part robot, part vehicle and part very expensive attention magnet.

The China-based robotics company says the GD01 starts at about $574,000. Unitree describes it as a civilian vehicle. With a rider inside, the robot weighs about 1,100 pounds.

So, no, you’re not likely to see this in your area anytime soon. But it does show how quickly robotics companies are moving beyond small robots and into machines people can actually climb inside.

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Rideable robot from Unitree turns heads

Unitree released only a short demo video, but the footage drew a lot of attention fast. It shows Unitree founder Wang Xingxing sitting inside the intimidating machine as it walks forward. The GD01 then pushes through a pile of bricks before leaning back and changing into a four-legged form.

That transforming feature is the big hook. Instead of acting like a regular robot, the GD01 appears built to move in more than one way. A two-legged mode could help it move through tighter areas. Meanwhile, a four-legged stance could give it more stability.

However, Unitree has not shared many details yet. We do not know its range, battery life, top speed, safety systems or where buyers would even legally be able to use it. That matters because a walking 1,100-pound machine raises plenty of questions.

Unitree GD01 robot arrives during a robotics push

The GD01 comes during a busy stretch for Unitree. The company recently opened UniStore, a robot app store that lets users download motion skills for humanoid robots. Early examples appear to focus on dance, martial arts and showy movement more than everyday household help.

Unitree also launched a lower-priced dual-arm humanoid robot with a starting price of about $3,960. The company also opened its first direct retail store in Beijing’s Wangfujing commercial district. So it appears that Unitree is building a larger robotics ecosystem, not relying on one attention-grabbing machine.

At the same time, Unitree is preparing for a public listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market. Reuters reported that the company plans to raise about $610 million, mainly to fund embodied AI research and expand its manufacturing base. 

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Why a $574K rideable robot matters

The GD01 may be described as mass-produced, but that does not make it mainstream. A starting price near $574,000 puts it in exotic-car territory. Even then, buyers would need a clear reason to own one.

Right now, the most likely uses seem to be entertainment, exhibitions, research, security demos or specialized industrial testing. Theme parks, robotics labs and wealthy collectors may be the only ones to really care about this.

Still, what stands out is what the GD01 signals. Giant rideable robots are becoming physical products, even if the first versions are more likely to show up at a tech expo, turn heads and not much else.

What this means to you

For most people, the Unitree GD01 is just a preview of things to come. The same technology that helps a rideable robot balance, walk and adjust its body could eventually show up in rescue robots, factory machines, warehouse systems or mobility devices. That does not mean the GD01 itself will change our daily lives. However, the hardware behind it could influence future robots that do useful work.

There is also a safety side. Once machines this large can move around people, regulators will need to catch up. A robot that weighs about 1,100 pounds with a rider inside is very different from a delivery robot rolling down a sidewalk. So, while the GD01 looks impressive, the real story goes beyond the viral video. Robotics companies are turning their wild ideas into these huge machines.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Unitree’s GD01 is one of those machines that makes you stop and ask, “OK, but who is this really for?” A person sitting inside a walking robot still feels to me like something that belongs on a movie set. Unitree has shown that the GD01 can move and transform. What it has not shown yet is why someone would need one. At more than half a million dollars, the price keeps the hype in check. So maybe the GD01 ends up being a little like the DeLorean: expensive, unusual and built for a very specific kind of buyer.

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Would you feel excited or uneasy seeing a 1,100-pound rideable robot walking through your neighborhood? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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If you just can’t choose between refresh rate and resolution, LG’s next gaming monitor could solve your problem, as the UltraGear 25G590B monitor is the first one announced that will be capable of a native 1000Hz refresh rate at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. So far, the 1,000Hz models we’ve seen have only been capable of 720p at the most, but this 24.5-inch IPS display does not have that limitation, as the company says it’s ready for esports competitors (whether they’re in an FPS or Excel), who need maximum responsiveness.

LG hasn’t revealed the 25G590B’s price or release date beyond “second half of 2026,” but said it has a “minimalist” stand, an integrated hook for headset storage, and customizable lighting. More information will be available on LG’s website here.

Of course, there are also AI-enabled features, too:

The 25G590B incorporates on-device gaming AI features designed to boost both immersion and usability. AI Scene Optimization adds visual realism and depth by intelligently adjusting picture settings according to game genre, while AI Sound presents a more authentic spatial audio experience along with clearer in-game communications (when using a compatible headset). These AI-driven capabilities complement the monitor’s ultra-fast performance to create the ideal platform for competitive gaming.

Your next Papa Johns order could soon drop from the sky. Just do not expect a large pepperoni pizza to come floating down yet.

Papa Johns has launched a drone delivery test with Wing, the drone company owned by Alphabet. The first flights are happening near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. Eligible customers can order through the Wing app and receive a limited menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches, including Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch and Steak & Mushroom.

Even though Little Caesars is already testing drone delivery for full-size pizzas in Texas, Papa Johns is taking a different route: sandwiches first. For now, the company is using a smaller, drone-friendly menu while it works with Wing on aerodynamically designed packaging that could help future pizza orders fly more smoothly.

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UBER EATS TAKES FLIGHT WITH DRONE DELIVERIES

Why Papa Johns drones are starting with sandwiches

A sandwich box is compact. A pizza box is wide, flat and fussy. Anyone who has ever carried a pizza home on the passenger seat of their vehicle knows the rule. Keep it level or prepare for a cheese landslide. That same problem gets trickier when a drone is involved. Drones have payload limits. They also need packages that fit their delivery systems and stay stable during flight.

That helps explain why Papa Johns is starting with sandwiches. Wing says the companies are also working on custom, aerodynamic packaging informed by both Papa Johns and Wing. In other words, the sandwich test may be the starting point, while the companies figure out how to package food for future drone delivery. So, for now, the sky is open for toasted sandwiches. The pizza has to wait.

How the Papa Johns drone delivery test works

The test is limited to residents near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Eligible customers can place orders through the Wing app and choose from a curated menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches. Charlotte-area residents can check delivery eligibility and sign up for updates through Wing’s delivery page at wing.com/get-delivery

For now, customers order through Wing. However, the longer-term plan is to connect Wing’s drone network directly with Papa Johns’ own app and its proprietary AI-powered food ordering agent, powered by Google Cloud. That could eventually make drone delivery feel less like a separate test and more like another delivery option inside the Papa Johns ordering experience. Wing says the goal goes beyond one restaurant test.  This is Wing’s first direct partnership with a national restaurant brand. It also builds on Papa Johns’ existing relationship with Alphabet through Google Cloud. The company sees the partnership as a way to build a broader model for AI-powered restaurant ordering and drone delivery.

“This partnership is a true collaboration, bringing together Wing’s pioneering technology and Papa Johns commitment to innovation,” said Heather Rivera, Chief Business Officer at Wing. “Together, we are defining a new blueprint for how agentic commerce and industry-leading operational design will shape the future of food delivery.”

Papa Johns says the effort is about building the future of hot delivery. That means more than strapping food to a drone. Workers need to prepare orders differently. Restaurants need space for pickup. The packaging has to survive the trip. The technology also has to fit into a busy lunch or dinner rush without slowing the store down. That last part may be the real test. A drone delivery system only works if it helps during the chaos, not after it. 

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Why pizza is such a tough drone delivery challenge

Pizza seems perfect for fast delivery. It is hot, familiar and often ordered by people who want food quickly. Yet pizza boxes create several problems for drone companies. A pizza box has a large surface area. That can affect stability. The box also needs to stay flat. A sandwich can tolerate a little movement. A hot pizza with melted cheese and toppings cannot.

That is why other companies have been working on bigger drones and special delivery setups. Flytrex recently announced a partnership with Little Caesars in Wylie, Texas, using its Sky2 drone. The company says the drone can carry up to 8.8 pounds, travel up to four miles and deliver up to two large pizzas with drinks. That shows pizza delivery by drone can happen. It also shows why Papa Johns may be taking a slower path.

Drone delivery is still a local experiment

Drone delivery has been talked about for years, but it still feels rare for many communities. Wing already works with companies such as Walmart and DoorDash, and it has expanded service in several metro areas.

Still, the business has to clear several hurdles. The weather can disrupt flights. Regulations can limit how drones operate. Restaurants have to train staff. Customers also need to live in the right delivery zone. Then there is the money. A drone can look amazing in a promo video. The tougher question is whether each delivery makes financial sense when the system runs every day.

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What this means to you

If you live near the test area, this could be a fun way to try a faster food delivery option. It may also give you a preview of where takeout is heading. However, drone delivery will probably roll out in small steps. At least at first. Customers need to live in the right delivery zone, order through the right app and choose items the drone system can carry safely.

The bigger shift could come later. If Wing’s system connects directly with the Papa Johns app, customers may eventually see drone delivery as one more option at checkout. That would make the experience feel much more normal than opening a separate drone app just to order lunch. For customers, the biggest benefits could be speed and convenience. A drone can avoid traffic, parking issues and some of the delays that hit traditional delivery during peak hours.

At the same time, there are practical questions. People may wonder about noise, safety, privacy and whether drones belong over our neighborhoods. Those concerns will no doubt grow as more restaurants join in.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Papa Johns flying sandwiches instead of pizza feels a little backwards at first. After all, it is a pizza chain. But once you think about a hot pie bouncing around under a drone, the sandwich-first approach starts to make sense. The company gets to test the tech, customers get a faster delivery option and the pizza stays with the regular delivery crew until the drone setup can handle a hot pie without turning it into a cheesy mess.

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If drone delivery becomes common, would you be excited to get dinner dropped from the sky, or would all those buzzing drones over your neighborhood drive you crazy? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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