Robot rentals are getting cheaper in China — but are they cheap enough for ordinary people?
This summer, humanoid robot rentals have surged. Daily rates have fallen from around RMB 8,000 (about $1,110) late last year to RMB 2,000–3,000 (about $280–420) now — a drop of more than 60%.
So what are people renting them for?
Businesses use humanoids for greetings, performances and events.
Tourists rent exoskeletons at scenic spots to make climbing easier — some cost just RMB 80 (about $11) for three hours.
Families rent companion robots for kids and elderly relatives, with monthly rates starting at RMB 200 (about $28).
But RMB 2,000–3,000 (about $280–420) a day is still far from “just try it for fun.”
If humanoid robots eventually cost only a few thousand yuan to buy, rental prices could fall further.
So, if a humanoid robot cost just a few hundred yuan to rent for a day, would you give it a try?
