Ubtech launches adult companion humanoid robot U1 Ultra in Shenzhen, pre‑sells 13,361 units

Chinese robotics firm Ubtech (優必選) unveiled its consumer‑grade humanoid robot series U1 on 30 June in Shenzhen. The flagship U1 Ultra, marketed exclusively to adult users as a companionship device, is priced at ¥9.9 million for the male version and ¥8.8 million for the female version. The company reported a cumulative pre‑order total of 13,361 units across online and offline channels, though third‑party data later showed only about 5,600 units listed on JD.com.

The launch follows Sony’s announcement five days earlier that it would cease sales of its aibo robot dog in Japan, marking the end of a product line that began in 1999 and saw limited commercial success. Ubtech emphasised that the U1 does not perform household chores and is intended solely for emotional companionship for adults, positioning it within the growing “emotional consumption” market in China.