Unitree Robotics, a Chinese startup, has unveiled its latest quadrupedal robot dog named the Unitree A2 Stellar Hunter. Weighing approximately 37 kilograms, the robot features an unloaded operational range of 20 kilometers and can run at speeds up to 5 meters per second (18 km/h). It is capable of climbing obstacles up to one meter high and can carry payloads up to 30 kilograms for three hours over a distance of 12.5 kilometers. Demonstrations have shown the robot performing agile maneuvers such as balancing on one leg, backflips, and breaking through glass. The A2 Stellar Hunter’s capabilities have contributed to a rise in Chinese robotics shares and the China Humanoid Robotics Index. The development reflects China’s growing leadership in robotics, supported by advances in battery technology, materials science, and supply chain integration. This progress comes amid a global AI race where Chinese companies like Unitree and UBTech are leveraging innovations and supply chain efficiencies to gain an edge, even as U.S. firms focus on artificial general intelligence (AGI). Industry observers note that deployment and coordination of AI models, rather than the models alone, will be critical in this competition. Meanwhile, China’s AI ambitions are backed by substantial investment, prompting calls for the U.S. to strengthen policy measures to maintain global influence.