A Chinese robotics company has launched a new line of ultra-realistic humanoid robots designed to keep people company and help fight loneliness.
The company, UBTech, introduced its U1 robot under its companion brand UWorld at a launch event in Shenzhen, China. According to UBTech, the U1 is the world's first full-sized, lifelike humanoid robot designed for mass production.
The robots feature metallic frames covered in soft, lifelike skin. They are equipped with eye cameras, chest sensors, and microphones to observe and listen to their environment. UBTech is targeting single people and the elderly. In China, there are about 120 million single people and 320 million people over the age of 60.
The U1 comes in different models. The basic model costs 119,800 yuan (about US$17,600), while the advanced "ultra" version costs 990,000 yuan (about US$145,700). For the higher price, customers can customize the robot's hair, face, and clothing to look like a family member, a celebrity, or a fictional character.
The robots are programmed with an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that allows them to chat with users. The AI can detect when a user is tired or stressed and respond with soothing words. Over time, the robot learns more about its user to have better conversations.
However, the U1 has limited physical capabilities. The basic model can move its head, eyes, and mouth, and its battery lasts up to four hours. It cannot do housework, cook, or offer intimate relationships. Instead, it is designed for conversation and care. It can talk about daily worries, remind users to take their medicine, watch sports games with them, and help monitor their health.
UBTech has already received more than 13,300 pre-orders, and deliveries are expected to start in September.
China's robotics industry is growing rapidly, supported by the government as a strategic sector. Last year, China accounted for 85 percent of the world's humanoid robot installations. By the end of last year, more than 140 Chinese companies had created over 330 humanoid robot models. Although companies are working on "physical AI" to help robots move autonomously, most robot movements in real life are still limited, pre-programmed, or controlled remotely.
Using AI and robots for companionship is also growing in other countries. For example, care homes in South Korea use ChatGPT-powered dolls, and a device called ElliQ is used to monitor and keep elderly people company.
However, experts warn of challenges, such as the "uncanny valley" effect, where robots look so realistic that they make people feel uncomfortable or uneasy. There are also concerns about data privacy and the emotional risks of humans becoming too attached to machines. To address privacy concerns, UBTech stated that the data processed by the U1 robot is encrypted and will not be used to train its AI models.