Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul showcases Unitree G1 humanoids

Humanoid robots offer a compelling vision of autonomous assistants, but current models often struggle to match their flashy marketing performances in everyday commercial settings. Park visitors encounter a giant astronaut-dressed statue of the G1 at the grounds, symbolizing an industry where form often outpaces functional intelligence.

Galaxy Robot Park Showcase Highlights G1 Humanoids

Opened in the summer by Galaxy Corp, the Seoul venue features entertainment and companion technologies prominently driven by Unitree Robotics. The Chinese manufacturer supplies the G1 humanoid robot, a flagship model serving as the park’s primary draw and standing out for its accessibility. At about US$13,500 (RM55,196), the G1 sits at a much lower price point than competing humanoid machines that carry six-figure price tags. The Chinese manufacturer supplies the G1 humanoid robot, a flagship model serving as the park’s primary draw and standing out for its accessibility. At about US$13,500 (RM55,196), the G1 sits at a much lower price point than competing humanoid machines that carry six-figure price tags. Park visitors encounter a giant astronaut-dressed statue of the G1 at the grounds, symbolizing an industry where form often outpaces functional intelligence.

Controlled Routines Contrast With Practical Limits

While viral videos depict robots executing backflips and complex martial arts on programs like America’s Got Talent or China’s Lunar New Year gala, commercial reality presents a different picture. John McCormick, an artist and professor at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia who programs Unitree units, points out that those routines are largely preprogrammed. Alan Fern, a robotics professor at Oregon State University, notes that running continuous acrobatics in commercial settings breaks expensive hardware quickly. During a 50-minute show at Galaxy Robot Park featuring 10 humanoids, performances appeared noticeably less polished than one-off televised broadcasts.

Specialized Machines Outperform General Humanoids

Specialized, non-humanoid equipment currently handles practical tasks more reliably than general-purpose robots. At the Seoul park, a cocktail-making machine consisting of two arms mounted on a giant sphere successfully dispenses gin, orange juice, and yuzu juice into a shaker. Fern explains that while building a dedicated robot for every scenario is ultimately inefficient, the industry lacks the massive training data that fueled the 2022 generative AI boom with ChatGPT. Many robots at the facility still rely on human handlers operating controllers behind the scenes, leaving fully autonomous robotic reasoning a distant goal.

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