Companion robots enjoy surging popularity in China

China

Companion robots enjoy surging popularity in China

2026-02-20 18:35 Last Updated At：23:07

Companion robots, which are usually tiny and adorable AI-powered devices, are making their way into the mainstream in China.

These smart devices are small in size, sometimes covered with fur, much like pets, and they can have conversations and provide emotional support.

At a robot consumer experience store in Beijing, over 20 companion robots are attracting attention. Primarily focused on education and emotional companionship, many parents say the devices can help them in answering some of their children's basic questions.

"Its level of intelligence is quite high, because it integrates large-scale AI models. It can replace parents in answering many of the child's questions and can also interact with the child," said a consumer.

Companion robots have a variety of functions and are popular among different age groups, and prices are reasonable, according to a store staff member.

"There are over 20 AI companion products in our store now. When parents purchase AI companion robots, they are more inclined to spend for educational purposes. For younger groups, it's more about fulfilling their own emotional needs. Products priced around 500 yuan (about 72.37 U.S.dollars) sell particularly well," said the shop manager Zhang Lulu.

The World Robotics 2025 Report shows that China has been the world's largest industrial robot market for 11 straight years and now holds more than 190,000 valid robotics patents, nearly two thirds of the global total.

"Currently, over 100 robot manufacturers have partnered with JD.com. Taking last year's 'Double 11' shopping festival as an example, the entire intelligent robot category saw a fivefold year-on-year growth rate. The overall market growth is extremely rapid, which has exceeded our expectations," said Zheng Xiaodan, general manager of the embodied intelligence business department of JD.com.

IMO urges ships near Strait of Hormuz to be on maximum alert

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Monday that the situation in waters near the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, urging vessels in the area to take maximum caution.

"The situation continues to be volatile. Ships should take maximum caution and not take risks without security guarantees," the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the information released on the IMO website, as of April 19, a total of 24 attacks on ships in the affected waters had been confirmed, resulting in the deaths of 10 seafarers.

The IMO, the United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security, as well as the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, has called for de-escalation, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that with the U.S. repeatedly violating ceasefire deals and posing threats to Iran’s ports and vessels, a unilateral return to normal shipping remains out of reach.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Central Command claimed in a social media post that the U.S. forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since its blockade on navigation through the Strait starting April 13.

However, according to a report released from Lloyd's List on Monday, at least 26 vessels involved in Iranian shipping had managed to break through the U.S. blockade.