Behavior-Foundation-Models

In 2018, a simulated humanoid learned to do a backflip by watching a motion capture clip. In 2025, the same lineage of research produced a single model that controls a real Unitree G1 robot with zero task-specific training. The path from one to the other redefines what ’learning to move’ means for robots, virtual humans, and the film industry.

Behavior Foundation Models can make virtual characters backflip and real humanoids walk. But making them help a stroke patient climb stairs requires solving problems the robotics community has barely started to name. Here is where the technology actually stands, what is missing, and which research directions might close the gap.