Humanoid robots need power and control to move like people. The longest standing jump by a humanoid robot – a 1.4 m leap by Unitree’s G1– shows progress on both. A clean takeoff and stable landing point to better joints, software, and impact handling. While media called it a “record,” it looks vendor-declared rather than officially certified.
How the 1.4 m standing jump was achieved
Key idea: short, explosive power plus precise landing.
Robot design and control choices
The G1 uses high-torque electric joints and whole-body control. In the demo, it dips, drives through the hips and knees, and tucks mid-air before bracing for impact. This sequence suggests careful actuator tuning and landing compliance.
What the video shows and what it does not
The clip shows a standing start, a single leap of about 1.4 m, and a stable landing. It does not show repeated trials, surface conditions, or calibration details. Without a neutral judge, the “record” label should be read as a claim, not a certified title.
Why a standing jump is a hard test
A jump without a run-up stresses power density, center-of-mass control, and foot placement. Landing demands split-millisecond torque control to avoid tipping. Success here often transfers to tasks like stepping gaps and absorbing shocks on rough ground.
How it compares with other robot “sports” milestones
Key idea: records exist in many formats; categories matter.
Robot sprints vs jumps
In July 2025, Zhejiang University’s quadruped “White Rhino” set a Guinness World Record by running 100 m in 16.33 s. This proves speed and endurance; the G1 jump shows burst power and landing control. They test different systems.
Humanoids in endurance events
Public demos now include races and long walks. Finishing a half-marathon shows thermal management and reliability; a 1.4 m jump highlights peak power and coordination. Both are needed for useful field work.
What this means for real-world jobs
Key idea: better balance and impact handling widen use cases.
Mobility in cluttered spaces
Jumps and sure landings help robots cross short gaps, curbs, and shop-floor obstacles without complex detours.
Safer contact with the world
Landing compliance, absorbing shocks without damage, maps to safer handling of tools, pallets, and doors.
Faster progress, broader ecosystem
Low-cost, power-dense actuators and improved control stacks are spreading. For example, new operator interfaces like the capsule-style H2L controller show ways people may guide humanoids with small muscle twitches.
Sources & related information
Interesting Engineering – China’s humanoid robot sets 4.6‑foot record for longest standing jump ever – 2024
The outlet reports the G1’s standing long jump at 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and frames it as a record, with a short context on actuator design and agility.
Unitree – G1 standing jump demo video – 2024
Unitree’s own clip shows the 1.4 m standing long jump and stable landing, the likely source for later coverage.
Heise – Record‑breaking: humanoid Unitree G1 robot jumps 1.4 m from a standing start – 2024
German tech press notes the jump and that it is the longest known standing jump for a humanoid of this size, citing Unitree.
Guinness World Records – Fastest 100 m by a quadrupedal robot (White Rhino) – 2025
An official benchmark for a different category (speed), useful context for what is or isn’t certified today.
