“I ordered three Unitree G1 robots when they gained popularity and later bought four more,” said Jin, a humanoid robot rental business owner in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in an interview with Chinese news outlet iChongQing.
Jin became interested in humanoid robots late last year but decided to invest heavily after Unitree Robotics’ models went viral on social media following their performance at the 2025 Lunar New Year Gala.
On Feb. 12, Unitree Robotics launched two humanoid robot models, the H1 and G1, priced at 650,000 yuan (US$89,641) and 99,000 yuan respectively.
Due to the high cost of the H1, many rental businesses, including Jin’s, focus on the G1—a 1.3-meter-tall robot capable of executing complex movements such as one-legged jumps and 360-degree spins. Rental fees start at 15,000 yuan per day, with Jin’s bookings fully reserved until Apr.1. He has received rental requests from across China, including Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Jiangsu.
According to Chengdu Economic Daily, most customers renting humanoid robots are businesses using them for technology exhibitions, event performances, film productions, or educational purposes. Rental fees typically include transportation, setup, and on-site support.
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Humanoid robot G1 model from Unitree. Photo courtesy of Unitree Robotics |
“Pricing varies by location and demand. In Hangzhou, daily rental costs start at 3,000 yuan. In farther locations or during peak periods, fees can rise to between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan,” said Zheng Huizhai, a representative of robot rental company Lianbei.
Yu Jian, director of Zhejiang Jike Robot Technology, noted that while the humanoid robot rental market gained prominence this year, robot rentals have been around for years.
“Between 2016 and 2018, renting robots was highly profitable, with demand first coming from television stations and real estate firms, followed by electric vehicle companies,” Jian told Tide News. “The humanoid robot boom, fueled by the 2025 Lunar New Year, has now brought the industry to new heights.”
He added that demand is no longer limited to businesses, as individual customers are also increasing. With technological advancements, humanoid robots could become household essentials within the next five to 10 years, assisting with housework and caregiving, he predicted.
Unitree Robotics’ humanoid robots have also gained traction overseas. Twitch streamer Kai Cenat, one of the platform’s most-followed personalities, purchased a G1 for US$70,000, dressed it in clothing, and featured it in his livestreams and public outings. His content featuring the robot drew significant attention, contributing to a surge in his channel’s subscriber count, which surpassed four million, boosting ad revenue and viewer donations.
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, said AI-powered humanoid robots are evolving faster than expected. “By the end of this year, they will reach a new level of sophistication,” he said. “If development continues smoothly, applications in the service and manufacturing sectors could take off next year. However, household use requires stricter safety standards, meaning the technology still needs refinement.”
Beyond Unitree Robotics, dozens of other companies, including EngineAI, Pudu Robotics, and RobotEra, are also developing humanoid robots. Earlier this year, Zhangjiang Group partnered with the National and Local Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Shanghai to launch a 5,000-square-meter robotics hub capable of training over 100 humanoid robots simultaneously in its initial phase. By 2027, the facility aims to train up to 1,000 robots at once.
According to Goldman Sachs Research, the global humanoid robot market could reach US$38 billion by 2035, driven by advances in artificial intelligence.
