China’s humanoid robot market is attracting significant attention after UBTECH announced strong demand for its new Cyber Companion robots. The company says preorders have already exceeded 13,000 units, months before deliveries are expected to begin.
The latest figures highlight growing consumer interest in robots designed for emotional companionship rather than household chores. At the same time, questions remain about pricing, technology, and wider social implications.
UBTECH Reports More Than 13,000 Preorders
UBTECH officially launched its full-size hyper-realistic humanoid U1 series on June 30.
However, pre-sales had already started on June 2. Since then, the company says total orders across all sales channels have surpassed 13,000 units.
According to UBTECH, this figure already exceeds the company’s total robot sales recorded last year.
The strong response reflects increasing interest in humanoid robots designed for everyday interaction.
Bionic robots are selling fast in China, with 13,000 preorders before Septemberpic.twitter.com/907wfJLtyg
— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) July 2, 2026
Cyber Companion Focuses on Emotional Support
Unlike many service robots, the Cyber Companion is not designed to perform household chores.
Instead, UBTECH has positioned the robot as a companion built primarily for emotional interaction.
The humanoid features 88 degrees of freedom, allowing it to produce a wide range of natural body movements.
In addition, it is equipped with what the company describes as a “developmental” emotional AI model. This system is designed to improve interactions and strengthen long-term companionship with users.
Price Range Targets Different Buyers
UBTECH has introduced multiple versions of the U1 series.
According to the company, prices range from 119,800 yuan to 990,000 yuan, depending on the model and specifications.
Although demand has been strong, the premium pricing places the robots beyond the reach of many consumers.
Nevertheless, UBTECH believes the market for companion robots will continue to expand.
Founder Sees Major Growth Ahead
UBTECH founder Zhou Jian remains optimistic about the future of home-use humanoid robots.
He believes emotional companion robots could eventually become part of everyday life.
According to his outlook, the sector has the potential to grow into a trillion-yuan market as technology continues to evolve.
The company expects increasing demand as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced and accessible.
Challenges Still Remain
Despite the impressive preorder numbers, several obstacles remain before companion robots become mainstream.
The high purchase price continues to be one of the biggest barriers.
In addition, the technology is still developing, and many capabilities remain limited compared with human interaction.
The growing popularity of emotionally intelligent robots has also sparked broader discussions about social and ethical concerns surrounding their long-term use.
Growing Interest in Emotional AI
The strong preorder performance demonstrates that consumer interest in emotionally focused humanoid robots continues to rise.
Rather than replacing household workers, UBTECH’s Cyber Companion aims to provide conversation, interaction, and emotional engagement.
Whether these robots become a common feature in homes will likely depend on future technological improvements, affordability, and public acceptance.
For now, the Cyber Companion’s early sales suggest that the market for AI-powered companions is expanding rapidly, even as important questions about cost and ethics remain.
