Chinese Firm Unveils AI-Powered Humanoid Companion Robots for Home Use

Chinese Firm Unveils AI-Powered Humanoid Companion Robots for Home Use

Chinese robotics company UBTech has unveiled a new line of AI-powered humanoid companion robots designed for home use, marking another step in the growing development of personal robotics.

The company launched the U1 series under its new consumer brand, UWORLD, during an event in Shenzhen on June 30, introducing the robots with the slogan, “Love is Eternal.”

Unlike industrial or warehouse robots, the U1 series is designed as a home companion. The robots feature silicone skin and human-like appearances, with male models standing 183 centimetres tall and female models measuring 168 centimetres.

According to UBTech, each robot has 88 degrees of freedom, allowing it to perform natural movements such as walking, dancing, blinking and making facial expressions.

The robots are also equipped with emotional AI capable of analysing facial expressions and tone of voice to recognise more than 20 emotional states and respond accordingly.

Prices range from 119,800 yuan (about $17,600) for the entry-level model to 990,000 yuan (about $145,700) for the premium “Ultra” version.

Despite the high price, the company said it has already received more than 13,000 pre-orders, with customer deliveries expected to begin in September.

UBTech said the robots are intended to provide long-term companionship, particularly for people living alone and elderly citizens.

The company cited China’s growing demographic challenges, including millions of elderly people living without close family support and a rising number of single-person households, as key factors driving demand for companion robots.

In addition to standard models, UBTech also announced a premium customisation service that uses facial reconstruction and voice-replication technology to create robots resembling specific individuals for emotional support.

The announcement has generated mixed reactions among technology experts. While some believe companion robots could assist with elderly care and help reduce loneliness, others have raised ethical concerns about emotional dependence on artificial intelligence and the psychological impact of increasingly human-like machines.

UBTech said the U1 robots are currently designed primarily for conversation and companionship rather than household chores or other domestic tasks. The company has not announced plans to expand their capabilities beyond those functions.

Chinese Firm Unveils AI-Powered Humanoid Companion Robots for Home Use