Chinese influencer spends $1,400 on robot date, goes viral

By Phan Anh March 21, 2025 | 07:00 pm PT

A G1 robot spills milk on the floor in a still of a video by Chinese social media influencer Zhang Genyuan. Photo courtesy of Red Note

Chinese social media influencer Zhang Genyuan has captured online attention after renting a humanoid robot for ¥10,000 (US$1,400) per day to cook, clean and go on dates with him.

Zhang, 25, an economics graduate from New York University with over 1.4 million social media followers, shared his experience in a video posted on March 13, the SCMP reported. The robot, named G1, was developed by Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics and retails for ¥99,000.

The 35-kilogram robot showcases agility and can perform impressive feats like martial arts movements. G1 is already popular in China, with daily rental fees reaching as high as $2,200.

In Zhang’s video, the robot greets him, attempts cooking by cracking eggs and pouring milk, with mixed results, and cleans the house, albeit imperfectly. Later, Zhang takes the robot for a stroll around the city, sparking curiosity from passersby, the Hindustan Times reported.

The video quickly gathered more than 40,000 likes, with viewers praising the robot as a good listener and companion.

The surge of interest in humanoid robots extends beyond Unitree Robotics. Companies like EngineAI, Pudu Robotics, and RobotEra are investing significantly in developing advanced humanoid robots.

Recently, Zhangjiang Group partnered with Shanghai's National and Local Humanoid Robot Innovation Center to establish a 5,000-square-meter robotics hub. Initially, the facility will train over 100 humanoid robots simultaneously, aiming to expand its capacity to 1,000 robots by 2027.

Goldman Sachs Research projects the global market for humanoid robots will reach approximately $38 billion by 2035, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.