Chinese UBTech has released "ultra-bionic" robots with "skin" and facial expressions - they respond to touch and initiate dialogue (2 photos + 1 video)
The appearance and voice of a specific person can be recreated for the customer. 
UBTech Robotics, a manufacturer of industrial robots for automobile manufacturers, has unveiled the UWorld U1 model. These are the first "full-body ultrabionic humanoid robots" with facial expression imitation and "memory," the company claims.
The robot has 88 degrees of freedom, biomimetic skin that mimics human skin and allows it to respond to touch. Prices start at 119,800 yuan. On the day of the presentation, the company received over 13,000 orders.
"Reasoning" AI models are used for communication and "intuitive responses" to human behavior. The company has developed Agent Memory OS, an operating system for "memory" that provides a "persistent digital presence." Robots will remember conversation history, proactively initiate conversations, and interact "without the need to pronounce a code word."
Robot dance not a presentation. Source: RoboHub
The company markets UWorldU1 as companion robots. One use case, according to the company, is "emotional support" for lonely or elderly people. In 2026, UBTech plans to make 100 robots free of charge in China "for psychological support" for people suffering from depression due to loneliness.
UBTech also offers customized versions. For example, it's possible to "recreate the image of a specific person" using 3D facial reconstruction and voice cloning. Chinese media reports suggest the technology could be used to create copies of deceased relatives.
The company predicts that the ultrabionic robot market in China could grow from tens of billions of yuan to trillions of yuan by 2036.
UBTech was founded in March 2012. The company supplies industrial robots to Volkswagen and Audi divisions in China, as well as Airbus and Zeekr, a subsidiary of automaker Geely.
