In Béziers, French company Instadrone is presenting a Unitree G1 humanoid robot intended for future rescue, security and industrial inspection missions. Its approach combines a Chinese-built model with local support for professional users.
Instadrone, a company based in the Hérault department that specialises in professional drones, is expanding into humanoid robotics. Its first robot, unveiled publicly in May 2026, is built on a platform already sold by Chinese manufacturer Unitree. The French company plans to adapt the machine to the operational needs of industrial firms and fire and rescue services.
Chinese-made Unitree G1, adapted by a French company
The robot presented by Instadrone is a Unitree G1, a humanoid manufactured in China and used in research and testing projects around the world.
During a demonstration reported by Midi Libre on 20 May 2026, the robot performed a few dance steps and some self-defense-style moves. These routines show off its mobility, but they are not a demonstration of its future professional missions.
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According to specifications reported by Futura, the G1 stands 1.32 metres tall and weighs 35 kilograms. Its equipment includes a 3D LiDAR and a depth camera to perceive its surroundings. Its stated battery life is one hour.
Futura puts the price of this model at generally under €16,000. That figure applies to the Unitree G1 robot itself, not to a complete Instadrone package including adaptation, training or support services.
Planned uses in rescue, security and industrial inspection
Instadrone wants to integrate the G1 into its existing professional solutions, in particular those built around automated DJI Dock drones. The aim is to deploy different robotic systems together in surveillance, inspection and security operations.
Several applications are being considered:
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- Search and rescue: using the robot as additional equipment during field operations.
- Fire detection: fitting specialised sensors to help identify hazards.
- Industrial inspection: carrying out inspection rounds at professional facilities.
- Security: integrating the robot into existing surveillance and response systems.
These are the missions Instadrone has in mind. The public demonstration in May 2026 focused on the robot’s movements, not on an operational rescue mission or a full industrial inspection.
Local support and training for French businesses
For French companies interested in humanoids, what sets Instadrone apart is its role as an integrator and local point of contact.
The company plans to sell the Chinese robot with local support and training. This approach is aimed in particular at large French groups that want to experiment with humanoid robotics in their operations.
Instadrone is therefore not building a new French humanoid. Its work consists of adapting the Unitree G1 to professional needs and integrating it into a broader set of technical solutions.
The distinction matters for buyers: the Chinese manufacturer supplies the robotic platform, while the Béziers-based company handles its use and support in France.
Unitree G1 data sent to China: a sovereignty concern
The G1’s Chinese origin is also an issue for French companies considering using it at industrial sites or in security operations.
Futura reports that Unitree robots send an encrypted data stream to servers located in China, as DJI drones do. This is a point of caution for organisations that handle sensitive information.
Going through a French integrator does not, on its own, change the origin of the hardware or its communication architecture. For a professional deployment, how data is transmitted and processed is therefore something to examine with Instadrone, especially when the robot is to operate in a sensitive industrial environment or take part in security missions.
Further reading: Unitree G1: specifications, price and demos · Unitree: the maker of the affordable humanoid robot