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XJTU-SKEMA joint MSc students Visit Global Quadruped Robot Pioneer Unitree
On 9 August, students from MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Management), a joint master’s programme launched by China’s ivy-league Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and SKEMA Business School, visited Unitree Robotics, the world's first company to commercialize quadruped robots for public retail and the global leader in legged robot sales. This behind-the-scenes visit to the China Hangzhou-based robotics powerhouse offered students special access to cutting-edge embodied AI technologies that are reshaping industries worldwide.
Exploring Cutting-Edge Robotics
The study trip was led by Professor Chengli Shu, Deputy Dean of the School of Management and Director of the International Programs Center at XJTU. During the visit, students experienced live demonstrations of Unitree’s flagship innovations, including the Go2 quadruped robot and the humanoid H1. The agility, stability, and interactive capabilities of these robots showcased the rapid progress of China’s AI-driven robotics sector. Unitree engineers guided students through the underlying technologies, illustrating how abstract concepts such as “perception–decision–action” loops translate into practical applications across industries.
A keynote presentation, The Development and Outlook of Embodied Robots, highlighted how advances in multimodal perception and large AI models are enabling robots to move beyond single-task execution toward complex-environment adaptability. With examples such as the H1’s ability to climb stairs and handle simple tools, students saw how general-purpose robots are moving closer to real-world commercialization.
Interactive discussions further explored pressing topics such as robotics ethics, data security, and industry standards. Professor Shu emphasized that Unitree’s innovations serve as a valuable paradigm for integrating artificial intelligence with the real economy, while also offering a reference model for higher education institutions to combine technology and business in talent development.
Linking Technology with Talent Development
Recognized as one of China’s top ten innovative humanoid robotics firms, Unitree’s dual focus on “technology + scenarios” offered students a textbook eample of applied innovation. The visit deepened participants’ understanding of AI’s industrial applications and strengthened the joint programme’s mission to train future leaders who bridge technology and entrepreneurship.
Aimed at training future elites and industry leaders in entrepreneurship and innovation, the MSc EI (Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Management) began at the start of the 2020 academic year. At the end of the two years of study, students receive the diploma of SKEMA (MSc), which is recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education.
About Unitree Robotics:
Unitree Robotics is a world-leading civilian robotics company specializing in the research, development, production, and commercialization of high-performance general-purpose legged and humanoid robots, six-axis manipulators, and related technologies. As the first company worldwide to launch the public retail of quadruped robots and achieve large-scale industry application, Unitree has maintained a leading position in global sales.
