Chinese robotics company UBTech has introduced a new line of ultra-realistic humanoid robots designed for companionship and emotional support. The U1 series, unveiled on Tuesday, is powered by an AI system capable of recognizing and responding to a wide range of human emotions, sparking discussion on Chinese social media about the potential rise of AI-powered 'cyber boyfriends' and 'cyber girlfriends'.
Product Line and Pricing
The robots are available in both male and female versions, with top-end models priced at up to 990,000 yuan ($145,835). The U1 product line ranges from robotic torsos at 119,800 yuan to full-sized humanoid companions featuring highly realistic details such as visible pores, blood vessels, and fingerprints.
Emotional AI Capabilities
The robots are equipped with an emotional large language model that UBTech said in a statement was designed for long-term companionship. The system can identify more than 20 human emotions with an accuracy rate exceeding 90%. The humanoids feature expressive faces and lifelike digital skin intended to enhance human-robot interaction.
Orders and Market Outlook
UBTech reported that it has received 13,361 orders for the U1 series and aims to complete deliveries within this year. The company expects China's market for ultra-realistic humanoid robots to expand dramatically over the next decade. 'The industry will grow from tens of billions of yuan to trillions of yuan between 2026 and 2036,' said Tan Min, UBTech's chief branding officer.
