UBTECH Robotics Addresses Humanoid Robot Battery Life Concerns

Chinese robotics company UBTECH Robotics has issued a statement addressing public discussion about the battery life of its humanoid robots. The company stated that the typical battery duration for full-sized humanoid robots is between 2 to 4 hours, which is common across the industry.

Questions have been raised regarding the operational performance of these robots, particularly their endurance between charges. UBTECH clarified that its models, such as the U1 Lite (half-body) and U1 Pro (high-spec full-body), are primarily intended for household and personal use. The high-dynamic version, U1 Ultra, priced at 990,000 yuan, is designated for commercial applications.

The company also sought to define the positioning of its robots. UBTECH specified that its bionic robots are positioned as "emotional companions," a direction supported by national initiatives, and are not intended to replace romantic partners. They emphasized that the robots are not meant to be boyfriends or girlfriends.

Regarding the ethical considerations in humanoid robotics, UBTECH has established an artificial intelligence and robotics ethics committee. This committee oversees ethical governance throughout the entire product lifecycle, from research and development to manufacturing, marketing, and deployment, in response to the evolving need for industry-wide ethical standards.