By South China Morning Post | Created at 2026-08-02 06:06:55 | Updated at 2026-08-02 19:04:32
13 hours ago
When 39-year-old Beijing investor Song shelled out 159,800 yuan (US$23,680) for a companion robot, he knew it would not be cooking meals or scrubbing floors. For him, becoming one of China’s first owners of a consumer humanoid was more about
“The happiest part is often the waiting,” Song said of his decision to buy the female version of the U1 Pro, made by Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics.
For years, humanoid robots have been confined to factory floors and structured assembly lines. Now, Chinese robotics firms are testing whether machines can find a home in living rooms.
Unlike industrial robots built for repetitive tasks in controlled settings, household humanoids must navigate unpredictable spaces, interact naturally with people, and eventually deliver real companion value – or even domestic help.
UBTech is among the first Chinese makers attempting the leap. The company said its U1 series had racked up 13,361 orders by June 30 – less than a month after opening pre-sales in early June – with initial deliveries scheduled to begin on September 16.
The line-up spans three models – Lite, Pro and Ultra – ranging from partial-body units to full-sized humanoids, with prices running from 119,800 yuan to 990,000 yuan. Designed primarily for emotional companionship, the robots were capable of facial expressions, voice interaction and artificial intelligence-driven conversations, according to the company.
