The first commercial human-like robot is here. Are replicants next?

The Chinese robotics company UBTech has launched the U1, the first mass-produced ultrarealistic human robot. This marks the first time anyone has manufactured and sold a humanoid robot that actually resembles a human. UBTech is framing the U1 as a human companion and believes the future of the robotics industry lies in providing emotional support. The company’s chief brand officer, Michael Tam, describes the human-robot companionship economy as “the first essential scenario in human...