Good morning. How much would you pay for a robot companion?
The Chinese robot maker UBTech on Wednesday unveiled what it calls an “ultra-bionic” full-sized humanoid family called Uworld U1. According to its maker, the bot features “biomimetic skin” and “emotion-driven” AI; it can also do “up to 90% of fundamental human movements.” (There’s a joke in there somewhere, I’m sure of it.)
The U1’s starting price? About $17,600.
Why spend the equivalent of a pre-owned Kia on a robot? Hospitality, tourism, and other commercial settings, sure, but companionship and elder care, too. Like many nations, China is facing a generational challenge in the form of 118 million empty-nest senior citizens who might not mind someone’s company—even if that someone periodically receives over-the-air updates.
We’re off tomorrow to observe Independence Day in the U.S., and perhaps catch a few World Cup matches. (Take me home, country roads…) Have a wonderful long weekend. —Andrew Nusca
