Humanoid robots may find their first killer app in loneliness. Chinese robotics company @UBTECHRobotics's new full-size biomimetic humanoid robot lineup, U1, has reportedly racked up more than 11,000 pre-orders so far. Presales opened on June 2 and run through July 15, with first deliveries expected in mid-September. At its June 30 global launch event in Shenzhen, UBTech gave the U1 series its official debut, detailing the models, configurations and pricing, while also introducing UWORLD, its new consumer-facing brand. The company showcased 50+ full-size biomimetic humanoid robots with different looks and body types. The U1 lineup includes Lite, Pro and Ultra models, with male and female versions available, priced from ¥119,800 to ¥990,000. Earlier online chatter had focused on one obvious question: is this a “romance robot”? And UBTech claims that the U1 is designed for emotional companionship and does not include sexual functions. Its target users include singles and older adults. #HumanoidRobots# #Robotics# #AI# #CompanionAI#