Chinese robotics company UBTech has introduced a new lineup of highly realistic humanoid robots designed to serve as companions and provide emotional support. Announced on Tuesday, the robots are powered by an artificial intelligence system built to recognize and respond to a broad spectrum of human feelings.
The unveiling quickly sparked conversation across Chinese social media, with users discussing the possibility of AI-powered “cyber boyfriends” and “cyber girlfriends.” The robots come in both male and female versions, with premium models carrying a price tag of up to 990,000 yuan — roughly $145,835.
The product line, called the U1 series, starts with robotic torsos priced at 119,800 yuan and goes up to full-sized humanoid figures featuring remarkably realistic physical details, including visible pores, blood vessels, and fingerprints.
Each robot is equipped with what UBTech describes as an emotional large language model, engineered specifically for long-term companionship. According to the company, the system can detect more than 20 distinct human emotions with an accuracy rate above 90 percent.
The humanoids are also built with expressive facial features and lifelike artificial skin, both intended to make interactions between humans and robots feel more natural.
UBTech reported that it has already received 13,361 orders for the U1 series and plans to fulfill all deliveries before the end of the year.
Looking ahead, the company sees enormous growth potential in this emerging market. “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.
