Chinese robotics company UBTECH Robotics has launched presales for its U1 humanoid robot, introducing it as an AI-powered companion designed to provide emotional interaction rather than perform household chores.
The robot, released under UBTECH’s UWORLD consumer brand, has attracted strong early interest. By June 21, the company announced that first-launch preorders had surpassed 5,000 units after thousands of customers placed deposits during the initial sales period.
Presales began on June 2 through JD.com with a refundable deposit of 3,000 yuan, while the official product launch is scheduled for June 30. The first customer deliveries are expected to begin by mid-September.
Unlike many humanoid robots developed for industrial work or research, the U1 is designed to engage users through conversations, emotional interaction and personalized experiences. It features an AI-powered emotional model, encrypted local memory storage and customizable appearance options aimed at creating a more personal relationship with users.
The robot is capable of remembering previous conversations, making facial expressions, blinking and moving its head, giving it a more lifelike presence during interactions.
Available in two versions, the U1 is built close to human proportions. One model stands approximately six feet tall and weighs about 93 pounds, while the other measures around five feet six inches and weighs roughly 78 pounds. Both versions feature 88 degrees of freedom, support Wi-Fi connectivity and offer an estimated battery life of between two and four hours per charge.
Although the limited battery life means the robot cannot remain active throughout the day, the company believes its design offers a unique consumer experience focused on companionship rather than practical household assistance.
UBTECH is marketing the U1 exclusively to adults, a decision that has sparked discussions among industry experts about privacy, ethics and the responsible use of AI-powered humanoid robots. Concerns have also been raised over data storage, user dependency and the potential misuse of customizable human-like appearances.
Despite the growing number of reservations, industry observers note that preorder figures do not necessarily reflect long-term consumer adoption. The company has yet to announce the robot’s final retail price, while additional details about its full capabilities are expected during its official unveiling.
The U1 enters a rapidly expanding robotics market where Chinese manufacturers are exploring new commercial opportunities for humanoid machines. While UBTECH is targeting consumers seeking companionship, other companies are developing larger humanoid and mech-style robots for entirely different applications.
Analysts say the success of the U1 will ultimately depend on its real-world performance, including conversation quality, reliability, safety, battery endurance and data privacy features once it reaches customers’ homes.
The launch highlights a growing trend in consumer robotics, with companies increasingly focusing on emotional interaction and AI companionship as the next frontier for humanoid technology.
