China’s UBTech debuts US$41,000 humanoid robot in race to build cheaper machines

Standing at 1.7 metres, the Tien Kung Xingzhe can walk 10km per hour and navigate various terrains, including sand and snow

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UBTech Robotics has launched a life-size research-purpose humanoid robot, Tien Kung Xingzhe. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:00pm, 13 Mar 2025Updated: 5:14pm, 13 Mar 2025

UBTech Robotics has unveiled a life-size humanoid robot for research purposes, priced at 299,000 yuan (US$41,200), as China’s robotics industry strives to produce advanced products at more affordable prices, ahead of Tesla’s expected mass production of its Optimus robot later this year.

The Tien Kung Xingzhe – developed in collaboration with the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, also known as X-Humanoid – is now available for pre-order, with deliveries expected to start in the second quarter, according to a statement from Shenzhen-based UBTech on Wednesday.

Standing at 1.7 metres (5.6 feet), the Tien Kung Xingzhe is an upgraded version of the Tien Kung model released last April. The new model is designed for research applications that demand enhanced strength and stability, and offers the flexibility to integrate additional components such as lidars, Nvidia’s Jetson Orin computing kit and five-fingered hands.

The Tien Kung Xingzhe can walk steadily at 10km per hour. It is engineered to navigate various terrains – including slopes, stairs, sand and snow – while maintaining smooth movement and resisting shock and interference.

Humanoid robots in the market are generally smaller, more expensive or not produced at scale. Chinese start-up Unitree Robotics’ 1.8-metre H1 model, which gained national attention after performing folk dances during the Lunar New Year gala broadcast by China Central Television in January, is priced at 650,000 yuan.

Humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics are seen at the backstage of the China Central Television Spring Festival Gala in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

Shenzhen-based EngineAI’s PM01 model, released in December, is on sale for 88,000 yuan until the end of March, but it is only 1.38-metre tall. Another model, the bipedal SA01, starts at an even lower price of US$5,400, but it lacks an upper body.