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Presented in Shenzhen, the U1 is an ultra-realistic humanoid robot created to offer emotional companionship, converse with users, learn habits over time, and primarily serve single people and those over 60 years old in China.
The Chinese robot U1, presented by UBTech in Shenzhen, was created to function as an emotional companion with a human appearance, soft voice, skin soft to the touch, and artificial intelligence aimed at constant conversation with the user.
The company’s proposal is to transform AI into a physical presence within the home. The model can listen to concerns, converse at any time, and learn more about the person over time.
U1 is presented as a companion for singles and the elderly
The launch took place on Tuesday, at an event with a science fiction atmosphere, a big screen with a spaceship, and participation from Norwegian DJ Alan Walker. The campaign used the slogan “Infinite Love.”
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UWorld, a sub-brand of UBTech responsible for the project, presents the U1 as a life-sized humanoid robot with an ultra-realistic appearance. The company calls it the first product of its kind in the world.
The commercial focus is on single people and those over 60 years old. In China, these groups total, respectively, 120 million and 320 million people, a market treated by the company as a large-scale market.
UBTech’s justification is that these people have a need for companionship and emotional comfort. The Chinese robot aims to fill this space with conversations, affectionate responses, and a permanent presence in the domestic routine.
What the Chinese robot does inside the house
With a battery lasting up to four hours, the U1 can identify signs of fatigue or stress and offer comforting words. It also enhances its knowledge about the user as it interacts with them.
The company states that the humanoid can identify health problems, remind the use of medications, suggest clothing, and even propose watching a World Cup match together with the owner.
Physically, the robot can move its head, eyes, and mouth. Despite its human appearance, it does not perform household tasks, does not cook, does not iron clothes, and was not designed for intimate relationships.
The U1 is sold in “female” versions, at 1.68 meters, and “male” versions, at 1.83 meters. There are different visuals, including models with the appearance of a celebrity, fictional character, or loved one.
Price, versions, and expected deliveries
The starting price is 119,800 yuan, equivalent to 15,500 euros, for the Lite version. The Ultra version reaches 990,000 yuan, or 128,000 euros, with more sophisticated features.
UBTech claims to have received over 13,300 pre-orders. Deliveries of the Chinese robot are scheduled to begin on September 16.
The product also raises controversies. Among the criticisms are the risk of trivializing emotional dependence on machines and concerns about personal data confidentiality.
UBTech promises encryption of information and states that the data collected will not be used to train artificial intelligence models.
Humanoid robots become a strategic industry in China
The U1 emerges in an environment where robots already appear in shopping malls, hotels, factories, express deliveries, and public spaces in China. This frequent presence has contributed to greater social acceptance in the country.
China is experiencing technological rivalry with the United States and is at the forefront of humanoid robots. The sector has government support and has been defined as a strategic industry in the five-year plan from 2026 to 2030.
By 2025, more than 140 Chinese companies had launched over 330 models of humanoid robots, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
A study by Morgan Stanley estimates that the Chinese humanoid robot market will reach $2 billion this year and $15 billion by 2030, indicating rapid expansion but still dependent on the acceptance of the common urban Chinese end consumer.
Why companion robots attract attention
Companion robots combine artificial intelligence, sensors, voice, and a physical body to create interaction closer to human coexistence.
They attract attention because they are not just digital assistants on screens: they occupy space, respond to stimuli, and can adapt conversations according to user habits. In societies with an aging population, people living alone, and greater presence of technology in daily life, this type of product tries to transform machines into emotional support.
At the same time, the proposal requires care with privacy, usage limits, and emotional dependence, as personal data and emotional bonds become part of the relationship.
With information from orange.
