With the emergence of relatively low-priced rental services, it is expected that the use will spread rapidly around parties and various event sites. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, “If you pay 999 yuan in China, you can rent a humanoid robot to order dances, performances, and photoshoots.”
This is a service provided by “Botsshare, Qingtianju,” a platform that rents humanoid robots. Boatshare recently launched the “999 Yuan National Robot Experience Program” ahead of Valentine’s Day and the Chinese holiday.
Fees are 999 yuan (930 U.S. dollars) for 90 minutes. Engineers are also deployed at the site to assist in equipment installation and detailed adjustment. Currently, the service is only offered in some cities in China, including Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The service is available through mini-program, an app-in-app service on WeChat, Chinese social network service, and offers customized performances for various situations such as birthday parties, Valentine’s Day dates, and holiday gatherings.
Robots dressed in themed costumes are programmed to dance, gesture, and interact with people to suit the atmosphere. Azibot’s compact humanoid “X2” and adult-sized “A2” models are used for the performances.
In order to promote the service, Ajibot, a Shanghai-based robot manufacturer that is a major sponsor of the platform, also released a video of the robot performance. The video showed robots performing dance, singing, skit, and kung fu. Boatshare, which was launched in December last year, is a “robot-as-a-service platform.” Humanoid robot development is taking place rapidly in China, but actual use cases are limited, but Boatshare is seeking a breakthrough by expanding commercial use. “The rental platform can accelerate the spread of humanoid robots by connecting users, intermediaries, content developers, and manufacturers,” Boatshare Chairman and Ajibot Partner said at the launch event. In addition to Ajibot, the platform also houses humanoid models such as Engine AI, Limx, Unitree, Aheadform, and Booster Robotics. It is expected that its scope of use will expand to various fields such as cultural tourism, corporate events, shopping mall promotion, and store opening events.
The fare starts at 999 yuan on an eight-hour basis. High-end customized services can increase up to 99,800 yuan per day. Statistics also show the growth of the humanoid robot market. According to a report released by market research company IDC, global humanoid robot shipments increased 508% year-on-year to about 18,000 units in 2025, with sales reaching about $440 million.
Shipments were led by Chinese companies, with Azibot and Unitree supplying about 5,000 units each. On the other hand, many foreign companies have not yet reached the mass production stage. IDC analyzed, “The demand for humanoid robots in 2025 mainly occurred in the fields of entertainment, education, research, and data collection.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
