Nepalese authorities are considering approving a Chinese humanoid robot, the Unitree G1, for a climb up Mount Everest, according to a report by the Kathmandu Post citing Nepal’s Tourism Department. If approved, the expedition could pave the way for using robots to clean up waste and monitor glacial conditions on the world’s highest peak.
The proposal comes from a collaboration between U.S. nonprofit Geologic Dome and Nepali company Fourteen Peaks Expedition, which have jointly applied for permission to deploy the Unitree G1 during the 2026 spring climbing season. The plan calls for a 52-day research expedition in the Everest region.
Himal Gautam, director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, confirmed that the proposal is under review. “After receiving the proposal, we consulted with the Ministry of Tourism,” he said. “The ministry has asked relevant departments to draft a framework covering risks, fee structures, and related matters. Permits will be issued once the main guidelines are established.”
The project’s broader goal is to explore whether humanoid robots can eventually assist with garbage removal on Everest, track glacial changes, and support operations in high-risk mountaineering scenarios. However, a significant hurdle remains: Nepal currently has no legal framework governing non-human climbers. As a result, even if a permit is eventually granted, the earliest the expedition could realistically proceed is the fall or winter of 2026.
No specific costs or fees were mentioned in the original report, so no currency conversion is needed this time.
Source: Sputnik News, May 17, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260517/1071346016.html