Chinese influencer rents humanoid robot for dating and chores

A young influencer in China has attracted attention after renting a humanoid robot for a day. Zhang Genyuan, 25, paid 10,000 yuan (about US$1,400) to use the robot for housework and even to accompany him on a date. Zhang is a graduate of New York University and gained popularity from a dating reality show in 2022. He now shares his experiences on social media and has over 1.4 million followers. On March 13, he posted a video showcasing the robot's abilities, which quickly received over 40,000 likes. The robot, called G1, can cook, clean, help with shopping, and even perform martial arts moves. However, it struggled when it came to dancing. The G1 is one of the most advanced humanoid robots in China, priced at 99,000 yuan (around US$14,000). It was launched by Unitree Robotics, a company in Hangzhou, on May 13, 2024.