China Unveils Ultra-Realistic Humanoid Robots for Companionship

UBTech Robotics has introduced a new generation of highly realistic humanoid robots designed for companionship, aiming to foster "human-machine symbiosis." The Uworld U1 androids, unveiled at an event in Shenzhen, are covered in "biomimetic skin" and are capable of reproducing approximately 90% of human movements.

These robots are available in male and female versions, standing at 183 centimeters and 169 centimeters tall, respectively. They are offered in basic torso-only models and more advanced full-body options. Prices range from approximately $13,218 for the basic model to $109,205 for higher-end versions. The company claims the robots feature 88 servo joints and a specialized cervical spine to mimic human motion, along with thousands of components in the head to replicate facial expressions.

Jiao Jichao, vice-president of UBTech and head of its Embodied Intelligence and Humanoid Robotics Research Institute, stated that creating natural-looking and behaving robots was a significant challenge. This involved integrating complex mechanical systems into a human-sized body while ensuring facial expressions matched speech and emotion, and that the robots could perform consistently at scale.

Each U1 android is equipped with an onboard AI designed for "long-term companionship." This AI is reportedly capable of recognizing over 20 fine-grained emotional states with more than 90% accuracy. According to staff at the launch event, the robots can hold conversations, maintain eye contact, and are sold only to adults.

UBTech reported that 13,361 individuals have paid a deposit to secure a place on the pre-order waitlist. The company also plans to donate 100 androids by the end of the year to vulnerable groups, including children separated from parents, elderly individuals living alone, and families facing difficult circumstances.

While some social media users expressed amazement and compared the robots to science fiction, others voiced concerns about their appearance and functionality. Criticisms included descriptions of the bots as "soulless golems" and "mannequins with a microphone and a c***** AI model." Some online commenters also raised fears about the robots' potential capabilities, with one remarking on the possibility of them "slit my throat in my sleep."

This development follows previous incidents involving humanoid robots in China. Footage emerged in March showing a Unitree robot accidentally striking a young boy during a demonstration. Another incident involved a robot collapsing and kicking performers during a sports day event in Xinjiang.