UBTech Robotics, a Chinese robot company, has put its consumer humanoid to the test of entering the home market after logging 13,361 preorders.

On Aug. 2, the South China Morning Post reported that UBTech secured 13,361 orders for its U1 series by June 30 after starting presales in early June. The first shipments are scheduled for Sept. 16.

The lineup consists of Light, Pro and Ultra models. It includes everything from partial-body models to full-body humanoids, priced from 119,800 yuan to 990,000 yuan. UBTech said it designed the products mainly for use as emotional companions. Key features include facial expressions, voice interaction and AI-based conversation functions.

Market reaction was mixed between expectations and disappointment. A buyer in Beijing bought a female-type U1 Pro for 159,800 yuan. He said he did not expect the robot to cook or clean floors. He said the happiest part is often the time spent waiting, and he placed value on owning an early consumer humanoid himself.

A 30-year-old buyer surnamed Yang in Yunnan province bought a female-type U1 Pro and said, "I often buy automated devices and new-technology products," adding, "My expectations are not high, but since I already bought it, I have no intention of returning it." That indicates demand is significant for watching technological progress up close rather than focusing on practical usefulness.

Others voiced disappointment after seeing the product. One buyer put down a 3,000 yuan deposit for a male-type U1 Pro but said he was disappointed that the robot's physical performance was only shown in limited ways at a June unveiling event. A buyer surnamed Ma in Jiangsu province asked for a full refund after watching the online unveiling. He was interested in the concept of a robot for emotional connection, but judged that the current level of technology fell short of his expectations.

Those reactions show the challenges facing home-use humanoids. Unlike industrial robots that have handled repetitive tasks in factories and assembly lines, home-use humanoids must move through unpredictable living spaces and interact naturally with people. Ultimately, the market can grow only if they go beyond companion roles and also assist with household chores.

Zhou Jian (저우젠), UBTech's founder and chief executive officer, acknowledged current limits but presented emotional interaction as a realistic starting point. "Robots can first implement a companion role through large language models and emotional AI models," he said, adding, "Household functions such as cleaning, laundry and cooking can later be combined with emotional interaction."

The market is also discussing the possibility of long-term demand. TrendForce said ageing, falling birth rates and a rise in one-person households are expanding the so-called companion economy, and forecast the companion humanoid market would reach $1.1 billion in 2030. Zebin Wang (제빈 왕), an investment management manager at investment firm JG Investment, said, "If machines can take care of household chores, the potential market would be enormous."

Ultimately, China's consumer humanoid market appears to be at a stage where early demand centred on emotional connection and verification of real-world performance are advancing at the same time. User reviews after shipments begin in September are expected to determine the pace at which home-use humanoids spread.