China – Zhang Genyuan, 25, rented a Unitree G1 humanoid robot for one day, asking it to cook, clean, and take a walk with him.

In a video posted on RedNote (Xiaohongshu) last week, Genyuan shared his experience of spending a day with G1 after renting the robot from Unitree for 10,000 yuan ($1,400).

"Inspired by sci-fi movies that depict robots living alongside humans, I decided to rent G1 to see if that could become a reality," he said in the video.

A Day with the Unitree G1

In the video, Genyuan commanded G1 to stand up from the floor. The robot folded its arms and legs, pushed itself up, and stood upright in seconds.

G1 then enthusiastically greeted him: "Hello, Mr. Zhang. It's nice to meet you." It went on to list its abilities, including cooking, cleaning, shopping, and going out for walks.

According to SCMP, Genyuan is a New York University graduate who gained fame after appearing on a Chinese dating reality show in 2022. Now a travel blogger with over 1.4 million followers, he frequently shares experiences on social media. When Genyuan asked G1 if it knew who he was, the robot correctly listed his education, career, and rise to fame. It also complimented his work and encouraged him to follow his passion.

"You haven't even started serving me yet, and you're already flattering me!" Genyuan laughed.

However, things got humorous when G1 struggled in the kitchen—spilling eggs and milk, struggling to sweep and mop, and frequently bumping into Genyuan.

Later, he took the robot for a walk, holding hands as they strolled through the streets. G1 skillfully avoided obstacles and jogged to keep up when Genyuan picked up the pace. When asked to dance, the robot performed a "graceful" routine and even apologized for "not doing it well enough."

"Maybe I don’t need a girlfriend anymore," Genyuan joked.

At the end of the day, they visited a café. "I didn’t feel lonely at all with G1 around," he said. "I have to return you tomorrow. I’ll really miss you."

The Growing Market for Humanoid Robot Rentals

The video received many positive comments.

  • "The rental price seems expensive, but it looks worth it!" one user wrote.

  • "G1 may not be great at housework, but it's a wonderful companion," another commented.

  • Some found the price excessive: "Mr. Zhang, hire me instead! I only charge 800 yuan a day. I can cook, clean, and even help kids with homework!" one joked.

The humanoid robot rental industry has been booming in China since early 2024. According to Chengdu Economic Daily, most clients are businesses that use them for exhibitions, performances, film shoots, and educational activities. However, wealthy individuals also rent them for personal experiences. Rental costs range from 8,000 to 16,000 yuan ($1,100–$2,300) per day, including delivery, installation, and on-site support.

A businessman surnamed Jin, who rents out humanoid robots in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, told iChongQing that his service is fully booked until April. Interest surged after Unitree Robotics' humanoid models gained popularity in Chinese media, especially following their dance performance at the 2025 Lunar New Year Gala.

"With technological advancements, humanoid robots could become essential family members within 5–10 years, helping with household chores and caregiving," Yu Jian, director of Zhejiang Jike Robot Technology, told Tide News.

The Future of Humanoid Robots

In China, besides Unitree Robotics, dozens of companies—including EngineAI, Pudu Robotics, and RobotEra—are also developing humanoid robots. However, Unitree was among the first to sell its models, offering the G1 for 99,000 yuan ($13,800) and the higher-end H1 for 650,000 yuan ($90,600) on JD.com.

Goldman Sachs Research previously estimated that the global humanoid robot market could reach $38 billion by 2035, driven by AI breakthroughs.