Abstract:
A unitary $K_1$-analog of the Karoubi–Villamayor functor is constructed, which solves the problem of homotopization of the unitary $K_1$-functor on the category of rings with involution.
Keywords:Ring with involution, unitary group, homotopization of a functor, Higman's trick, Karoubi–Villamayor functors, hyperbolic rings.