China presents the first realistic humanoid robot to sell in series: how much does it cost and what is it for?

The launch took place on June 30 in Shenzhen, one of China’s main technology centers. UBTech promotes the U1 as the first humanoid robot Full-size “ultrarabionic” designed for mass production. The scope of that statement is specific: commercial robotics and androids have decades of history, while “ultrarabionic” is the term the company uses to highlight its realistic appearance and their ability to interact.

The series includes male and female versions and combines half-length models with others capable of walking. Prices start at 119,800 yuan, about $17,600, and reach 990,000 yuan, around $145,800a figure comparable to that of a luxury car.

According to UBTech, the line has already accumulated 13,361 orders and deliveries will begin during 2026. The launch statement does not discriminate how many reservations correspond to individual buyers and how many to companies, exhibition spaces or public organizations.

Its main promise is linked to conversation and support. The company also mentions Possible uses in residences for seniors, hotels, receptions, tourismeducation and research. Housework is still out of reach and UBTech’s own founder acknowledged that, at this stage, these humanoids resemble high-end toys with utility that has yet to be proven in the long term.

The most affordable model is the U1 Lite, a mid-body unit that costs 119,800 yuan. The U1 Pro adds legs and mobility for 169,800 yuan. At the top level is the U1 Ultra, which sells for 880,000 yuan in its female version and 990,000 yuan in its male version.

The most advanced models, which have a high level of training, are covered with a biomimetic skin that reproduces details such as pores, blood vessels and fingerprints. They also incorporate moving eyes, hair and a mechanical system to synchronize lips with voice. UBTech claims that its 88 degrees of freedom and double-jointed neck allow reproduce up to 90% of basic human movements.

Artificial intelligence works as the conversational brain of the robot. A language model processes what it hears, analyzes images captured by its cameras and generates a response. Unlike a chatbot that works only within a screen, the system is connected with sensors, motors and joints. This combination is often called physical or embodied artificial intelligence.

UBTech maintains that its model can recognize more than 20 emotional states from voice, gaze and facial expressions, with an accuracy of over 90%. It also promises an initial response in 500 milliseconds and a delay of less than 20 milliseconds between audio and lip movement. These figures correspond to company measurements and have not yet been independently validated.

The Agent Memory OS system allows you to retain information from previous conversations to remember preferences, experiences or links mentioned by the user. The company ensures that it prioritizes local processing, reduces sending information to the cloud and offers physical controls to protect data. Operating a companion robot, however, involves collecting especially sensitive information, such as images of the home, voices, routines, and emotional states.

Public demonstrations revealed some of its limitations. The robots walked, talked and danced on stage, but their movements were still slow and stiff. The battery lasts between two and four hoursan autonomy that requires several recharges during the day.

There is also a distance between automated support and professional psychological care. The American Psychological Association warned that chatbots and wellness apps can offer relief in certain contexts, but also generate undesirable effects. Excessive use can aggravate loneliness, promote dependency or deteriorate social skills, especially among vulnerable users.

Modern robotization began far from the androids of science fiction. In 1961, Unimate, considered the first mass-produced industrial robot, began working in a manufacturing plant. General Motors. It was a huge mechanical arm that followed stored instructions to manipulate hot metal parts, a repetitive task and dangerous for workers.

The next challenge was to reproduce the shape and movements of the human body. In 1973, Waseda University in Japan completed WABOT 1considered the first full-size humanoid. He could walk on two legs, grasp objects, and carry on simple conversations in Japanese.

Honda brought that idea to a mass audience in 2000 with ASIMO. The small robot could walk, turn and move within environments designed for humans. Although it never became a mainstream household product, it was one of the first public demonstrations that a bipedal machine could move relatively stably. and execute tasks in everyday spaces.

Advances in cameras, sensors, batteries, processors and artificial intelligence expanded those capabilities. Language models added conversationrecognition of instructions and a certain ability to interpret situations. The current challenge is to translate these digital responses into safe, precise and useful physical movements.

China reaches this stage with a huge industrial infrastructure. During 2024, it installed 295,000 robots in its factories, 54% of the world total, and exceeded two million industrial pieces of equipment in operation. For the first time, Chinese manufacturers also controlled the majority of sales within their own market.

UBTech is part of that process. Founded in 2012, it first developed educational, commercial and industrial robots, including the Walker series for factories. With UWORLD try transfer that knowledge to the home and open a category based on support, customization and services associated with the robot.

The launch of the U1 represents a relevant commercial step, although its capabilities are still far from the autonomous humanoids imagined by cinema. Deliveries and daily use will allow us to evaluate whether these machines retain their attractiveness after the initial novelty, whether they adequately protect the data they collect and whether they offer a concrete utility that justifies their high price.