China’s Humanoid Robot Craze Sparks Surge in Rentals

In a captivating event recently held in Hangzhou, a major tech hub in eastern China, a dozen humanoid robots showcased their impressive abilities by dancing in perfect harmony to lively music. This mesmerizing spectacle delighted the audience and elicited spontaneous cheers from those in attendance.

This phenomenon is representative of a broader trend in China, where businesses and individuals are increasingly opting to rent humanoid robots for a variety of purposes, including performances, exhibitions, and livestreams. The goal? To attract attention and engage audiences.

The popularity of these robots surged earlier this year when a team from Unitree Robotics, a robotics startup based in China, captivated millions during their synchronized dance performance at the Spring Festival Gala, one of the most-watched celebrations in the country.

The excitement generated by such performances has turned humanoid robots into a highly sought-after rental item. "Since early February, orders for Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot have been increasing dramatically, with bookings already reserved through late March," stated Gao Lai, a veteran in the robot rental business. His company supplied the robots for the recent show in Hangzhou.

The daily rental fee for these humanoid robots varies from 8,000 to 15,000 yuan (approximately US$1,115 to US$2,091), and due to the rising demand, Gao predicts an increase in revenue by 80% this year.

As for purchasing, the G1 model of Unitree starts at 99,000 yuan, while the higher-end H1 model begins at 650,000 yuan.

According to industry experts, the growing need for humanoid robots at business functions, exhibitions, and shows is fueling the rapid expansion of the robot rental market, which holds immense possibilities. On Xianyu, one of China's largest platforms for second-hand goods, the rental cost for a Unitree robot can reach thousands of yuan, typically encompassing transportation, adjustments to the machines, and on-site support.

In Hangzhou’s Yuhang District, where the recent display took place, local authorities plan to organize more robot shows and educational sessions in rural areas through robot rentals. Zhang Jingcan, an official in the district, expressed, "Dancing with robots attracts attention, and we aspire to collaborate with companies to introduce AI to rural communities."

Humanoid robots are not a new concept. The first such robot was developed in Japan in the 1960s, and since then, they have been at the center of global competition. Xiong Rong, a professor at Zhejiang University and director of the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, noted, "The progress made by our AI-powered robots is surpassing my expectations."

Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, further explained, "We have enhanced our humanoid robots' software algorithms to improve their agility and dance performances." However, there are still uncertainties regarding the application of humanoid robots in more complex domestic or business scenarios, which often require varied and flexible human-robot interactions.

Looking ahead, Wang suggested, "Humanoid robots will reach new milestones by the year’s end, and if all goes well, we might see their deployment in certain service or industrial sectors within the next two years. However, the adoption of home-use models could lag due to stricter security needs."

Security in the interactions between humans and robots is vital. Xiong emphasized, "We can only achieve mass production by ensuring the safety of human-robot interactions, the robots themselves, and the data involved." Many experts in the field agree that the ultimate aim for humanoid robots is to develop them into multifunctional machines that can adapt to different environments and perform a variety of tasks without needing specific sites or tools.

Realizing this ambition will demand advancements in artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing, and innovative materials, supported by collaboration between academia and industry.

With increasing demand and ongoing innovation, China’s humanoid robot industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years, set to capture a significant portion of the global market. A report presented at the 2024 World AI Conference in Shanghai estimated the value of China’s humanoid robot market at 2.76 billion yuan last year. Projections indicate this could grow to 75 billion yuan by 2029, representing 32.7% of the global market.

robots, technology, rental