Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) have trained a humanoid robot to pull a car weighing 3,086 pounds (1,400 kg) over a flat surface.
The feat appears remarkable, given that the Unitree’s G1 weighs just 77 pounds (35 kgs) and stands 132 cms (4.3 ft) tall.
BAAI posted the visual of the humanoid pulling off this feat on their official X handle on Monday.
The G1 humanoid maintained remarkable balance and steadiness while towing the car, displaying advanced AI-powered dynamic balance and strength.
Witnessing the feat
The footage shows the humanoid making a visible effort to pull the car out of the parking area over a flat surface. After a brief struggle for traction, the robot regained control by crouching slightly, mimicking a human posture to exert force.
Surpassing its previous accomplishments like walking, jumping, and performing human-like backflips, the newer Unitree G1 has demonstrated even more advanced maneuvers.
These experiments look like a broader effort to train humanoids to maintain balance in challenging environments ahead of industrial or service-oriented applications.
A few users were visibly impressed as the Unitree G1 pulled out this feat, while others shared their opinions on why the experiment didn’t sound convincing.
Real or fake?
The humanoid garnered positive reviews for showcasing its physical strength during the experiment.
If there’s no remote control, it’s really impressive
— onecookie (@_onecookie) October 28, 2025
Another user suggested that the Unitree G1 be given Timberland boots, with an edited image of the humanoid wearing a pair.
Another user voiced a similar opinion, stating there was a ‘loss of force’ since the humanoid had no rubber soles to tackle friction.
“The concept is fake. 1400kg means nothing. The real pulling force required depends on the coefficient of friction between the rolling wheels and the floor,” wrote one of the users.
The test also showed a driver sitting inside the car, and some users were quick to point out whether the test was truly carried out without any human intervention.
“And how much pedal is being used by the guy inside the car?” wrote another user.
A history of lifting weights
Robots designed by different companies have lifted weights in the past, albeit not to the extent seen in this video.
MagicBot, built by a Chinese startup called MagicLabs, pulled three adult humans on a cart weighing around 551 pounds (250 kg).
The “Laborer” series robot, developed by Wuhan Glory Road Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., could easily lift 132 pounds (60 kg).
Furthermore, KAERI’s ARMstrong Dex humanoid can perform dead-hang pull-ups while carrying a 44-pound (20 kg) weight, demonstrating powerful hydraulic strength and disaster-response potential.
In contrast, the G1’s car-pulling display seems visually impressive, but raises questions about how far such stunts translate into meaningful, real-world robotic performance.
For now, the demonstration is another example of how researchers are testing the limits of humanoid robotics.