China's Robot Rental Prices Plunge Over 90% as Market Faces Shakeout
China's robot rental industry is experiencing a dramatic price collapse, with daily rental rates plunging more than 90% from their peak earlier this year. According to industry data, basic humanoid robots that commanded premiums just months ago now rent for as little as 3,000 yuan (US$415) per day, while robotic dogs have dropped to 339 yuan (US$47) daily.
The sharp downturn follows a frenzy that began after the Lunar New Year, when humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics appeared on China's premier Spring Festival Gala broadcast, triggering surging demand for commercial performances, tourist attractions, and weddings. At the peak, daily rentals for Unitree's G1 model reached 20,000 yuan (US$2,770), with some operators earning over 100,000 yuan (US$13,850) in deposits alone in a single day.
The market reversal began after May, driven by increased production capacity from manufacturers, official price cuts, and an influx of new market entrants creating supply oversaturation. The shift marks a transition from "impossible to find a unit" to deep industry consolidation, as the sector pivots from capital-driven speculation toward sustainable commercial applications.
Industry observers note the correction may signal the market's maturation as robots move beyond novelty performances into productive sectors including elderly care, medical rehabilitation, and industrial applications.
Sharp Price Decline Reshapes Market Dynamics
The rental market's collapse has been swift and severe. Data from second-hand trading platforms show basic robot models now cluster in the 1,800-3,000 yuan daily range, with some food delivery and reception robots in Xiamen falling below 1,000 yuan per day—representing declines of up to 93.33% from peak levels.
During the February-April period, premium humanoid robots commonly rented for 20,000-30,000 yuan daily, with robotic dogs fetching several thousand yuan. Customers needed to pay deposits a week in advance to secure bookings amid tight supply.
The reversal accelerated after the May holiday as Unitree and other domestic manufacturers ramped up production and cut official prices. The influx of new rental service providers created oversupply, fundamentally altering market dynamics within months.
Technology Innovation Lowers Operational Barriers
Technical advances are reducing the operational complexity that previously required specialized personnel for on-site setup and calibration, a major cost factor for rental operators.
"Zhiyuan Robotics recently launched a content creation platform that allows users to simply upload human movement videos to achieve end-to-end conversion from real human performance to robot replication," said Wu Liguo, general manager of Zhiyuan's channel division. "This significantly lowers operational difficulty and reduces dependence on professional technical teams."
Domestic manufacturers including Unitree, Ubtech Robotics, and Songyan Dynamics have introduced smaller, lighter models. Through proprietary technology development and materials innovation, these companies have effectively reduced fixed costs for rental service providers.
Shift From Entertainment to Production Services
Industry analysts view the price correction as part of a broader transformation from novelty entertainment toward productive commercial applications.
"The future of robot rental lies in transitioning from 'single device rental' to 'scenario-based services,' creating higher commercial value through enhanced functionality and interactivity," said Li Kaining, general manager of Noah's Ark Education Technology Company.
Market monitoring data shows robot applications expanding from performance and entertainment into elderly care, medical rehabilitation, and industrial labor. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reports China's installed base of industrial robots grew from 960,000 units in 2020 to over 2.2 million in 2025, more than doubling in five years.
Long-Term Growth Outlook Remains Strong
Despite near-term pressures, industry fundamentals point to sustained long-term expansion. A recent research report from the Development Research Center of the State Council projects the embodied intelligence market will reach 400 billion yuan (US$55 billion) by 2030 and exceed 1 trillion yuan (US$138 billion) by 2035.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly identifies embodied intelligence—alongside quantum technology, biomaterials, hydrogen energy, brain-computer interfaces, and 6G networks—as a strategic growth area. Local governments are actively building industry ecosystems, with Shanghai developing high-quality embodied data sets and complete technology systems, while Hefei has opened an embodied intelligence robot data collection and pre-training facility.
Talent demand is surging correspondingly. Recruitment platform data shows hiring needs in the humanoid robot sector increased over 400% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025. Seven universities, including Beihang University, recently applied to establish "Embodied Intelligence" degree programs to systematize talent cultivation.
The market adjustment signals the industry's evolution from capital-driven hype toward value-driven fundamentals. As robots transition from performance stages into factories, tourist sites, and households—becoming genuine productivity tools and companions—the price collapse may represent a coming-of-age for a maturing sector.