This humanoid robot will keep you company for $25,000
Is this an answer to loneliness?
Image by Cybernews
- UBTech Robotics launched U1, a series of lifelike humanoid robots with AI capabilities that can detect emotions and provide company.
- The robots range in price from ~$17,600 for the half-body version to $146,000 for the premium tier.
- Robots are increasingly being developed for social and emotional roles, not just manual work automation, reflecting a broader shift in how the technology is being applied.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Can’t find a companion? Chinese robotics company UBTech Robotics says you can buy one for $25,000.
The company may have developed a solution for those who don’t know how to combat loneliness or need extra care from someone else.
The company has recently launched a humanoid robot, U1, that resembles a real human – with lifelike skin, hair, and nails.
The robot comes with cameras for eyes, chest sensors, and microphones for listening. All these components are used to make it as human as possible.
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The robot is priced at around $17,600 for the half-body U1 Lite, while the full-body U1 Pro is priced at around $25,000.
Its other tier, the U1 Ultra, is even pricier, with the male version priced at $146,000 and the female at $130,000.
What can this humanoid do?
What makes them different from other humanoid robots is that they are much more responsive, thanks to being equipped with AI.
This allows the robot to detect when the user is stressed or tired and calm them down by talking to them.
The half-body U1 humanoid can move its head, eyes, and mouth, and can work up to four hours before needing to charge its battery.
The humanoid is mainly used for verbal interactions, as it can’t assist with cooking, cleaning, or similar tasks.
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The robots can also be customized according to one's wishes, whether that’s to resemble a celebrity or someone close to them.
The humanoid was created for people who live alone or are aged 60 or older, noted The Straits Times.
According to Michael Tam, head of UBTech’s brand UWorld, people who fall into those categories show the need for companionship.
Despite such a hefty price, the company shared that it has more than 13,300 pre-orders for the robots, with delivery expected to start this September.
Robots are increasingly used beyond manual work
While robots are commonly used for manual tasks that require automation, recently, their use has increased for companionship and entertainment.
At this year’s Met Gala, one guest was the AgiBot robot. The robot, created by a Chinese tech company, attended as the guest of American fashion designer Alexander Wang.
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The robot seemed to entertain people while posing for photos and received even more attention after accidentally getting stuck in an elevator.
Meanwhile, robots in Japan and South Korea were ordained as Buddhist monks.
Robot Gabi became a monk in South Korea after getting ordained by the country’s largest Buddhist order, the Jogye Order, while a Unitree humanoid in Kyoto, Japan, became a “Buddharoid.”
