The Uworld U1 is UBTech‘s first full-size humanoid robot for consumers, sold under its UWorld consumer brand. The Shenzhen-based manufacturer launched the series on 30 June 2026 in three models: the U1 Lite, the U1 Pro and the U1 Ultra. The robot stands out for its silicone skin, expressive face and 88 degrees of freedom. It is sold in China to adults, with pre-orders open on JD.com since 2 June. Prices by version range from 119,800 yuan to 990,000 yuan. The timing of the first deliveries is disputed between the Chinese financial press and the manufacturer.
Uworld U1 versions: Lite, Pro and Ultra mobility levels
UBTech’s press release of 30 June 2026 defines the range as follows: the U1 Lite is a half-body model, the U1 Pro a “high-performance” full-body model and the U1 Ultra a “high-dynamic” full-body model. The Ultra comes in a male and a female version. According to TechNode, more than 50 body models were shown at the launch.
On 6 July 2026, Chinese outlet 36Kr detailed what each version does:
- U1 Lite: turns its head, blinks and holds a conversation.
- U1 Pro: sits, lies down, hugs and produces micro-expressions.
- U1 Ultra: walks on two legs, dances and follows the user around the home.
According to 36Kr, none of the three versions folds laundry, cooks or sweeps.
How much does the Uworld U1 cost? Prices and pre-orders
UBTech’s official press release gives a price “starting at RMB 119,800“. The prices for each version come from the Chinese press.
| Version | Format | Announced price |
|---|---|---|
| U1 Lite | Half-body | 119,800 yuan |
| U1 Pro | Full-body, high performance | 169,800 yuan |
| U1 Ultra (male) | Full-body, high dynamic | 990,000 yuan |
| U1 Ultra (female) | Full-body, high dynamic | 880,000 yuan |
Pre-orders opened on 2 June 2026 on the JD.com platform, according to TechNode and AI Weekly. They required a deposit of 3,000 yuan. 36Kr puts the total deposits paid at more than 40 million yuan.
The price actually paid can differ from the list price. Humanoid Guide reports that a Beijing investor bought a female U1 Pro for 159,800 yuan, while the listed price for that version is 169,800 yuan.
Uworld U1 specs: official data sheet
The figures below are those published by UBTech in its launch press release of 30 June 2026.
| Feature | Value announced by UBTech |
|---|---|
| Models | U1 Lite (half-body), U1 Pro (full-body, high performance), U1 Ultra (full-body, high dynamic) |
| Degrees of freedom | 88 |
| Neck | Biomimetic dual-pivot cervical vertebra |
| Movements | Up to 90% of basic human movements |
| Language model | Emotion-aware: more than 20 emotional states, accuracy above 90% |
| Response architecture | “Fast and slow”: intuitive response in 500 milliseconds |
| Voice/lip sync | Lag under 20 milliseconds |
| Memory | “Agent Memory OS” |
| Activation | Interaction without a wake word |
| Privacy | Three layers: local processing first, minimal reliance on the cloud |
| Price | From RMB 119,800 |
| Weight | Not disclosed |
What the press reports about the Uworld U1
Height
Heights vary between sources. TechNode gives a range of 1.60 m to 1.85 m. AI Weekly gives two values: 183 cm for the male model and 168 cm for the female model.
Face, skin and touch
AI Weekly and TechNode mention the 88 joints and the silicone skin. KrASIA describes more than 300 composite micro-expressions, grouped into four categories. The outlet also cites a touch-sensitive electronic skin and an automatic head lock when the robot is powered off.
Personal data and privacy
According to TechNode, data is encrypted and stored locally by default. KrASIA adds that users can export and delete it.
Processor
AI Weekly states that the robot uses a Rockchip RK3588 processor, attributing this information to UBTech.
Uworld U1 uses and target buyers
UBTech’s press release lists several uses:
- everyday companionship;
- emotional and psychological support;
- elderly care;
- reception and hospitality;
- tourism and exhibitions;
- research and education;
- high-end household service.
According to AI Weekly, the U1 is sold to Chinese households and restricted to adults. KrASIA places the U1 series in UBTech’s companion range.
UBTech also announced it will donate 100 customised U1 robots in 2026. The intended recipients are children separated from a parent, isolated elderly people and families in difficulty.
Uworld U1 orders: two figures in circulation
The number of orders differs between sources:
- More than 11,000 across all channels, according to TechNode and AI Weekly. Both outlets cite an announcement by founder Zhou Jian.
- More than 13,361 units, according to UBTech’s press release, a figure picked up by KrASIA and Humanoid Guide. 36Kr refers to more than 13,000 pre-orders.
The 13,361 figure is a cumulative total as of 30 June 2026. It covers the whole period since pre-orders opened on 2 June, not launch day alone.
Uworld U1 delivery date: delay reported, then denied
TechNode and Humanoid Guide put shipping of the first batch at 16 September 2026.
On 29 September 2026, 36Kr relayed a report from Damo Finance. According to that outlet, the official UBWorld store had said the first batch, scheduled for 16 September, was pushed back to 30 November. UBTech called these reports “inaccurate”. The manufacturer says the U1 series “has already begun deliveries” and that production and shipping are carried out “in batches according to the order of reservations”.
Damo Finance also reports that chief financial officer Zhang Ju lowered the annual delivery target to 1,500 to 2,000 units during the August earnings call.
Where the U1 fits in UBTech’s business
The U1 enters a home market that is still marginal. KrASIA cites research firm IDC: around 18,000 humanoids were shipped worldwide in 2025, less than 0.8% of them to private homes.
At UBTech, the U1 adds to a range focused mainly on industry and led by the Walker S2. According to 36Kr, about 80% of the more than 1,000 full-size humanoids the manufacturer has delivered in total went to industrial customers.
What we do not know yet
UBTech has not published the weight, battery life or exact dimensions of each U1 model. Nor does the official press release give a price for each version: the prices of the Lite, Pro and Ultra come from the press.
The announced performance figures, including the processor cited by AI Weekly, have not been independently verified.
The actual date of the first deliveries remains uncertain. UBTech’s denial contradicts Damo Finance’s reporting, and the number of U1 units actually handed over to customers is not known. The exact scope of the 1,500 to 2,000 annual delivery target attributed to the chief financial officer has not been specified.
No sales to private buyers have been confirmed outside China, whether in France or elsewhere in Europe. After-sales service and warranty remain unknown, as does the current order book.
See also: UBTech, the company and its humanoid robots; Can you buy a UBTech robot?; Home robots: where things stand; UBTech unveils the Uworld U1 from 119,800 yuan.
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