The landscape of robotics is undergoing a significant transformation, with embodied intelligence and embodied robot technologies rapidly moving from industrial and niche applications into the consumer domain. A key indicator of this shift is the recent introduction of affordable home-focused robots, signaling a new era where embodied intelligence becomes accessible to the average family. The journey of quadruped robots, often referred to as robotic dogs, from expensive novelties to potential household companions, highlights the accelerating pace of innovation and commercialization in the field of embodied intelligence.
Reflecting back to 2021, quadruped robotic dogs were a prominent feature in the tech industry. During that year’s Spring Festival Gala, a performance by Yujian Technology, featuring “Niu Benben”—a modified version of the Unitree A1 model—showcased cluster dancing robotic dogs, bringing this form of embodied robot into the mainstream consciousness. In the same year, Xiaomi Group founder Lei Jun, during his annual speech, presented a quadruped bionic robot named “Tiedan,” priced at under five figures (9999 yuan), which was quickly dubbed “the first robotic dog for young people.” This period marked the beginning of broader public engagement with embodied intelligence platforms.
Fast forward four years, and the embodied intelligence sector continues to gain momentum. The production and application of these embodied robot systems are progressing faster than many anticipated. On November 3, it was reported that the robotics company Yuejiang has officially launched the world’s first home intelligent body robot, named Rover X1. Priced at 7499 yuan, this embodied robot targets the consumer-grade market with a primary focus on home environments. The price point is now comparable to that of a flagship smartphone, making embodied intelligence more attainable. However, it is currently available only for pre-sale, with the delivery timeline yet to be confirmed, as stated by the Yuejiang team.
The decision to adopt the robotic dog form factor for consumer markets is rooted in extensive industrial experience. Yuejiang explained that their decade-long accumulation in the industrial robotics sector allows for innovative transformation of mature technologies. Key aspects include the reuse of motion control and structural design technologies validated in industrial settings, ensuring performance and reliability. This technological recycling significantly reduces research, development, and production costs, enabling high-performance embodied robot systems to break through previous price barriers. This approach helps avoid the commercialization pitfalls of high technology leading to high pricing, thereby accelerating the落地进程 of embodied intelligence in everyday life.
This strategy is not isolated. According to research data from the China Business Industry Research Institute, the quadruped robot segment is entering a phase of规模化 growth. In 2023, the market size for quadruped robots in China reached 4.7 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 42.68%. By 2024, the size expanded further to approximately 6.6 billion yuan, and analysts predict it will exceed 8.5 billion yuan in 2025. The growth trajectory indicates that quadruped robots have初步 completed their early technological exploration phase. Market demand is gradually shifting from conceptual experimentation to practical applications, providing a fertile ground for companies to choose the robotic dog form for embodied intelligence solutions.
| Year | Market Size (Billion Yuan) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.7 | 42.68% |
| 2024 | 6.6 | Approximately 40% (estimated from expansion) |
| 2025 | 8.5 (Forecast) | To be determined |
In terms of competition, Yujian Technology holds a leading position with a 32.4% market share in 2024, driven by the high cost-effectiveness of its consumer-grade products. Its embodied robot offerings have strong penetration in the global consumer market. YunShen Chu focuses on industry scenarios such as power inspection and public safety, promoting technological commercialization through large-scale deployments, and holds an 18.9% share, ranking second. International manufacturers like Boston Dynamics maintain advantages in key technologies and深耕 specific industry applications. Based on 2024 market share data, three overseas companies, including Boston Dynamics, hold shares of 12.2%, 6.6%, and 5.5% respectively, indicating that the industry leadership has not yet formed an absolute monopoly, leaving room for innovation in embodied intelligence.
| Company | Market Share (2024) | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Yujian Technology | 32.4% | Consumer-grade, high cost-effectiveness |
| YunShen Chu | 18.9% | Industry scenarios (e.g., power inspection) |
| Boston Dynamics | 12.2% | Key technologies, specific industries |
| Other International Company 1 | 6.6% | Varied applications |
| Other International Company 2 | 5.5% | Varied applications |
As embodied intelligence evolves, the practical applications in home settings are becoming more defined. Yuejiang shared specific scenarios where their embodied robot can be utilized in family environments, demonstrating the versatility of embodied intelligence:
- In outdoor exploration scenarios, the product can hold cameras or gimbals to achieve precise intelligent following and autonomous obstacle avoidance. It also has load-bearing capabilities, allowing it to carry equipment like water and food during family hikes or camping trips, showcasing the adaptive nature of embodied robot systems.
- For home security, leveraging全景 perception and autonomous mobility, it can perform tasks such as night patrols and detection in unfamiliar areas, while实时 transmitting footage back to user terminals. This enhances safety through advanced embodied intelligence features.
- In programming education, equipped with a self-developed open system, it supports both graphical and code-based programming modes. Users can learn by designing robot actions and completing scene-based tasks, fostering skills in embodied intelligence technology.
- In daily interactions, beyond basic household chores like escorting backpacks or delivering clothes, it can enhance connections with family members through voice interaction, autonomous following, and responsive lighting expressions, integrating embodied robot capabilities into the fabric of everyday life.
Concurrently, overseas companies are also venturing into the home intelligent body sector, albeit with different product forms and progress levels, all still in early exploration stages. For instance, Norway’s 1X company released the humanoid robot NEO on October 29, positioned for handling daily household chores. Priced at approximately 142,000 yuan (or a monthly subscription of 3542 yuan), it is open for pre-orders with delivery planned for 2026. NEO can perform tasks like folding clothes and organizing items, though some functions require remote human assistance, indicating the ongoing development of fully autonomous embodied intelligence. Earlier, on October 9, U.S.-based Figure AI unveiled its third-generation humanoid robot, Figure 03, through videos demonstrating abilities in household tasks such as serving tea, washing dishes, and tidying rooms. It claims adaptability to home environments but has not disclosed pricing or delivery timelines. The founder of Figure AI admitted that no humanoid robot product in the industry can achieve truly autonomous work yet, underscoring the challenges in advancing embodied robot systems.
Optimistically, various forms of embodied intelligence, including robotic dogs and humanoid robots, are making strides in entering homes with some initial success. However, it must be acknowledged that existing products, despite efforts to focus on practical needs and avoid complex generalization scenarios—whether Yuejiang’s quadruped approach covering lightweight family demands or overseas humanoid forms tackling basic chores—still face key variables in price and technological maturity. The priority remains on scenario testing and data accumulation over immediate practicality, highlighting the iterative nature of embodied intelligence development.
The path from initial adoption to widespread use is uncertain. After achieving the “0 to 1” breakthrough, the milestones to “10” and “100” in terms of scale and integration remain unclear, requiring continued innovation in embodied robot technologies.
In the short term, the value of home robots may revolve around emotional and social aspects. During a recent conference on embodied intelligence, industry professionals noted that current home robots often show more dialogue in videos than task proficiency, making it difficult to address complex human needs immediately. They believe that over the next one to two years, the core value of family robots will concentrate on companionship and emotional support. Similar to how people spend thousands on limited-function smart speakers or popular trendy toys like LABUBU, home robots in the near future might serve more as social symbols and identity markers rather than highly functional tools. This perspective aligns with the gradual acceptance of embodied intelligence in personal spaces.
From a pricing trend perspective, as technology iterates, product prices are likely to decrease further in the coming two to three years, lowering the entry barrier for ordinary families. This could accelerate the adoption of embodied robot systems, making them more commonplace.
Examining the consumer-grade market itself, there is a noticeable gap in supply-demand matching, which constrains the rapid penetration of various robot forms. On the demand side, families expect robots to be cost-effective and high-quality, with prices in an easily decision-making range and functions that genuinely fit high-frequency scenarios like cooking, cleaning, and caregiving. However, the supply side has long been polarized: either industrial-grade products like Boston Dynamics’ offerings priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars, which are功能强大 but beyond family budgets, or sub-thousand-yuan “electronic pets” capable only of simple interactions, failing to meet practical needs. This disparity makes it hard to form universal purchasing reasons for embodied intelligence products.
On the technology落地 front, current home robots can achieve autonomous operations in specific vertical scenarios. For example, tasks like identifying a kettle, picking it up to water plants, or finding keys and fetching glue can be fully autonomously executed if a predefined “recognition-action-completion” workflow is established, relying on mature motion control systems. This demonstrates the potential of embodied robot applications in controlled environments.
However, the challenge lies in generalization capabilities. If a robot needs to fold blankets or tidy up scattered toys, it requires defining an entirely new workflow. Industry insiders report that current technology cannot yet handle arbitrary tasks in composite scenarios with a single command. This limitation underscores the need for advanced embodied intelligence that can adapt dynamically.
In summary, the short-term strategy for robots involves leveraging emotional value to enter homes, social settings, or commercial performances, while long-term success depends on breakthroughs in vertical scenarios to achieve scale. This approach represents a feasible path for robots to evolve from novelty items to daily tools. Refining workflow definitions and further reducing prices are essential factors in this journey. As applications gain volume, discussions about targeting consumers (To C) versus businesses (To B) will become more concrete and pragmatic, shaping the future of embodied intelligence and embodied robot ecosystems.
The continuous innovation in embodied intelligence is not just about technological advancement but also about creating meaningful interactions in human environments. As prices drop and capabilities expand, the dream of having a helpful embodied robot in every home moves closer to reality, promising to redefine daily life through intelligent automation and companionship.