UBtech Robotics launches humanoid robot pre-sale on JD.com for June 30

UBtech Robotics (9880.HK) opened pre-sales for what it calls the world's first full-size ultra-bionic humanoid robot on JD.com, bringing humanoid robotics to consumer e-commerce ahead of a formal June 30 release. The Shenzhen-based company, best known for its educational and service robots, is now targeting the consumer market with a full-size humanoid platform that could compete with offerings from well-funded global rivals.

"JD.com provides the ideal platform to reach consumers interested in next-generation robotics," UBtech Robotics said in the announcement. The e-commerce giant, which employs about 900,000 workers, has been expanding its automation capabilities through unmanned warehouses and drone deliveries. JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong recently pledged to retrain nearly 1 million workers rather than replace them with machines as the company deepens its investment in robotics and AI.

The robot enters a competitive field that includes Unitree Robotics, whose H1 humanoid platform has drawn global attention for its agility and speed, and humanoid projects from Tesla and Figure AI. Unitree's H1, priced at about $90,000 for research editions, stands 5.9 feet tall and can run at speeds exceeding 7 miles per hour. UBtech did not disclose pricing or detailed specifications for its ultra-bionic robot, including height, weight, battery life, or processing power, leaving questions about how it compares on performance metrics against existing platforms.

The global humanoid robot market is projected to reach $38 billion by 2035, according to Goldman Sachs Research, driven by labor shortages and advances in AI-powered autonomy. UBtech's ability to deliver a commercially available full-size humanoid before many better-funded rivals could give it a first-mover advantage in the consumer segment. Figure AI raised $675 million at a $2.6 billion valuation, while Tesla continues developing its Optimus robot for factory use. Nvidia has also entered the space, partnering with Unitree and Sharpa to launch a humanoid robot reference platform for academic research.

The pre-sale on JD.com represents one of the first times a full-size humanoid robot has been made available for consumer purchase through a major e-commerce platform. UBtech's existing business spans educational robots and service robotics, and a successful consumer humanoid would represent a significant expansion of its addressable market. China has been encouraging robotics adoption as part of its push to become a global leader in advanced technologies, with recent court rulings protecting workers from AI-driven displacement and requiring companies to retrain employees before termination.

For investors, the key question is whether UBtech can deliver a commercially viable humanoid robot at a price point that generates meaningful revenue and whether pre-sale demand justifies production scale-up. UBtech shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange could see increased volatility as the June 30 launch approaches, particularly if the company discloses pricing and pre-sale volumes before the formal release date. A successful launch would broaden UBtech's revenue base beyond education and service robots, while a weak reception could raise questions about consumer appetite for humanoid robotics at current price levels.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.