Humanoid makes facial expressions and remembers conversations: PolarisAI's 'U1' draws attention at RoboWorld

[Financial News] The robot looks at people and speaks to them, moving its lips and changing its expression in response to the conversation. Visitors stopped in their tracks and raised their cameras at its human-like appearance, complete with skin that closely resembles human skin. At an exhibition bringing together industrial automation technologies, a robot that communicates with people stood out as something different. PolarisAI unveiled its emotionally interactive humanoid 'U1' at '2026 RoboWorld,' which opened on the 4th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. While most of the robots on display focused on improving efficiency in manufacturing processes and logistics operations, U1 demonstrated how humanoids could expand their range of applications by centering on conversation and emotional expression.
U1 is an ultra-realistic humanoid developed by UWorld (UWORLD), the consumer brand of UBTECH Robotics. It combines biomimetic skin with technology that reproduces facial movements to create a human-like appearance. It aims to enable natural interaction in conversation through lip movements synchronized with speech and responses from its eyes and face.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is central to supporting communication with users. According to UBTECH, U1 is designed to understand conversational context and users' emotional states using an emotion-recognition large language model (LLM) and long-term memory technology. It remembers previous conversations and interactions to provide responses tailored to each user. Rather than simply answering set questions, it aims to build ongoing relationships.
Three models were introduced at the exhibition: Lite, Pro and Ultra. Each is designed for different service environments, depending on its form and movement capabilities.
The upper-body Lite can be used to speak with visitors and provide information in museums or corporate promotional spaces. The full-body Pro explores ways to bring games and entertainment content into real-world character experiences. The Ultra, with enhanced movement capabilities, was presented for interacting with customers at performances and in premium service settings.
Homes and services for older adults were also cited as potential markets for emotionally interactive robots. As aging populations and the number of single-person households grow, interest is increasing in everyday conversation and emotional connection, raising expectations that technologies for ongoing communication with users could become part of daily-life services. However, the actual scope of use is expected to take shape after the functions and services are validated for the environments in which they will be used.
A robotics industry representative said, “For emotionally interactive humanoids, what matters is not only their appearance, which shapes first impressions, but also how naturally they can sustain a conversation and provide users with a consistent experience.” The representative added, “Building operational experience in settings with clear purposes, such as information services and exhibitions, can lay the groundwork for expanding services.”
Alongside U1, which emphasizes interaction with people, PolarisAI also exhibited robots designed to work in industrial settings. The industrial humanoid 'Walker S2' and logistics robot 'Cruzr Y1' demonstrated how robots could be used in manufacturing and logistics through demonstrations handling materials and cargo.
Walker S2 identifies the surrounding space and the locations of boxes, then picks up items and moves them elsewhere. Cruzr Y1, which combines a robotic arm with a wheeled mobile base, demonstrated transporting, loading and unloading cargo. The demonstrations focused on showing how robots could perform repetitive tasks on production lines and in logistics facilities.
Corporate customers are looking at whether these demonstrations can be transferred to real-world work environments. Key considerations when evaluating adoption include whether the robots can be used to supply materials needed on production lines or stack boxes in logistics centers, and how they can be integrated with existing equipment and workflows.
A PolarisAI representative said, “We are conducting proof-of-concept (PoC) projects with domestic manufacturing and logistics companies to assess the potential for deployment at their sites.” The representative added, “By presenting both the task-performing capabilities of industrial robots and the communication functions of emotionally interactive humanoids, we are exploring applications for physical AI ranging from manufacturing and logistics to exhibitions, information services and everyday-life services.”

[email protected] Choi Doo-seon Reporter