A man in China spent 10,000 yuan (approx. $S1,844) to rent a humanoid robot for a full day, tasking it with household chores, taking it out for a walk, and even treating it as a companion.
Meet Zhang Genyuan
Zhang Genyuan, a 25-year-old social media influencer and New York University economics graduate, first gained recognition after appearing on a mainland Chinese dating reality show in 2022.
Since then, he has built an online following of over 1.4 million people by sharing his travel experiences, according to Dexerto.
On March 13, Zhang shared a video of his day spent with a rented humanoid robot, which quickly gained online reactions.
Testing the Unitree G1
The robot, known as the Unitree G1, according to SCMP, was developed by Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics and launched in May 2023. Priced at 99,000 yuan (approx. S$18,259), it stands 127 cm tall and weighs 35 kg.
The G1 is designed with agility in mind, capable of performing martial arts moves.
Instead of purchasing one, Zhang opted to rent the robot for a single day.
Growing up watching sci-fi movies where humans lived alongside robots, Zhang became curious: what would it actually be like to have a humanoid assistant in real life?
Household Help or Hassle?
Zhang started by activating the G1, which introduced itself and listed its capabilities, including cooking, cleaning, and accompanying him on outings.
However, as he soon discovered, its performance was far from perfect.
While attempting to prepare breakfast, the robot spilled milk and clumsily cracked eggs.
Cleaning up afterward didn’t go smoothly either. Sweeping and mopping became a challenge as it repeatedly bumped into Zhang, to which Zhang laughed it off as it was entertaining.
A Stroll Through the City
Later in the day, Zhang took the robot outside for a walk, holding its hand as they navigated the streets. The robot successfully avoided obstacles and even ran, proving its ability.
A Surprising Emotional Connection
As the day came to an end, Zhang and the G1 stopped by a riverside café, where he jokingly ordered two drinks, one for himself and one for the robot.
Looking back on his experience, Zhang commented that the robot provided a surprising sense of companionship stating, “The robot makes me feel no loneliness at all.”
He even joked that, with the robot by his side, he might not even need a girlfriend for emotional support.
Before parting ways, they shared a hug, marking the end of their short but memorable time together.
Featured images: Courtesy of Zhang Genyuan on Rednote via Dexerto and SCMP.
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