Shenzhen-based robotics firm UBTech has begun delivering its U1 Pro consumer humanoid robots to early adopters in China. One notable buyer, a 39-year-old Beijing investor, recently purchased the female version of the robot for 159,800 yuan (approximately US$23,680).

While humanoid robots have historically been utilized primarily for industrial tasks on factory floors, this shift marks an attempt to bring the technology into the domestic sphere. However, the current generation of these robots does not perform traditional household chores such as cooking or cleaning. Instead, buyers are positioning the robots as companion devices. The primary motivation for these early purchasers appears to be the prestige and excitement associated with owning cutting-edge technology rather than seeking functional assistance in the home. The buyer interviewed noted that the anticipation of the product's arrival was a significant part of the experience.