China's latest humanoid robots are built to understand emotions, not just commands | Watch

Humanoid robots are steadily moving out of research labs and factory floors, and into living rooms.

Chinese robotics company UBTECH has unveiled a new lineup of full-sized humanoid robots that it says is the first designed for mass production. Called the UWORLD U1 Series, the robots are built to do far more than carry out physical tasks. They are designed to hold conversations, recognise emotions, remember interactions over time and even provide companionship.

The launch, announced during the company's Global Launch Event in Shenzhen, marks UBTECH's biggest push yet into the consumer robotics market. It also reflects a broader shift across the industry, where humanoid robots are increasingly being positioned as AI-powered companions rather than simply automated machines.

The company said demand is already building, with more than 13,000 orders placed for the U1 Series on the day of its unveiling.

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UBTECH bets on robots that can understand emotions

The UWORLD U1 lineup comprises three models: the semi-torso U1 Lite, the full-body U1 Pro and the flagship U1 Ultra. Prices start at 119,800 yuan (RMB), placing the robots firmly in the premium consumer segment.

Unlike conventional service robots, the U1 Series is built around what UBTECH describes as a fully integrated technology stack developed entirely in-house. The robots combine embodied AI, proprietary operating systems, biomimetic skin and emotion-aware large language models to create interactions that feel closer to human conversations.

According to the company, the robots feature 88 degrees of freedom and a specially engineered cervical spine that enables them to reproduce around 90 per cent of fundamental human movements.

At the centre of the system is an emotion-aware AI model capable of recognising more than 20 emotional states with claimed accuracy exceeding 90 per cent. A memory system allows the robots to remember previous conversations and interactions, enabling long-term relationships with users rather than isolated exchanges.

UBTECH also says the robots can respond naturally to their surroundings without requiring wake words, using environmental awareness to determine when and how to interact.

The company has also emphasised privacy, stating that users retain ownership of their data through a three-layer architecture prioritising local processing while reducing reliance on cloud computing.

From factories to family companions

The launch represents a major milestone in UBTECH's long-term strategy.

Founder, Chairman and CEO James Zhou said the company envisions three stages in the evolution of human-robot collaboration. The first focuses on replacing people in dangerous and repetitive work. The second extends robots into everyday life through service and companionship. Ultimately, he believes humans and intelligent robots will coexist through increasingly seamless interaction.

That vision reflects UBTECH's transition from industrial robotics to consumer-focused AI products. The company says its Walker S Series has already entered mass production for industrial applications, while the new UWORLD range is intended to become its second major growth engine.

Michael Tam, UBTECH's Chief Brand Officer and head of its consumer robotics business, argued that companion robots could emerge as an entirely new consumer category, particularly as societies grapple with loneliness, ageing populations and growing mental health challenges.

To support that ambition, UBTECH also announced a "Human-Robot Companionship Initiative". Beginning this year, the company plans to donate 100 customised humanoid robots annually to vulnerable groups, including older adults living alone, children separated from their parents and families facing difficult circumstances.

Those robots will incorporate technologies such as 3D facial reconstruction, voiceprint-based identity replication and personalised long-term memory systems to create more familiar and emotionally supportive interactions.

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, the conversation around humanoid robots is beginning to shift. For years, manufacturers competed on mobility, dexterity and engineering. Now, companies like UBTECH are betting that the next frontier will be emotional intelligence. Whether consumers are ready to welcome life-like AI companions into their homes remains to be seen, but the race has clearly begun.