The replies to this ad for a breakdancing robot pretty much all made the same good point – 15 hacked-off one-star reviews

It seems the dream (or nightmare) of a future where intelligent robots walk amongst us is getting increasingly near to becoming a reality. With AI becoming more powerful and robot technology becoming cheaper, surely it can’t be long before we all have personal humanoid assistants to cater for our every whim?

A Chinese robotics company, Unitree, is now offering their child sized R1 Smart Robot Companion for sale for $4,900 and have released a video showing it in motion.

Here it is.

Unitree R1 | Price from $4,900, Ready Stock 🥳
Your Smart Robot Companion pic.twitter.com/xnA7KbEjTv

— Unitree (@UnitreeRobotics) June 24, 2026

Undoubtedly impressive. It’s sure got some moves. But is that enough to tempt people to part with their cash? Let’s look at the replies.

1.

“Please R1, I just want you to put the laundry away”

R1: pic.twitter.com/GLGNYNc662

— Badjer (@Badjer_UK) June 26, 2026

2.

I just need my robots to do the house chores, not breakdance.

— dimsum cap (@Domi85_) June 24, 2026

3.

Stop dancing and do some work please

— Oskar (@oskarglauser) June 24, 2026

4.

That's great but how's the laundry coming along? pic.twitter.com/sfCcvM8Whq

— Rachelle Akuffo (@RachelleAkuffo) June 26, 2026

5.

Um, can it walk, do housework, be gentle enough for caregiving? I really don't need a robot for breakdancing…..

— Moytoy🪬💙 (@acmoytoy) June 24, 2026

6.

Not until it can do Olympic class moves like this. pic.twitter.com/wQE3QpPJkS

— Bert Duzza (@BertDuzza) June 25, 2026

7.

Why are robot capabilities always demonstrated through dancing instead of showing actual work performance? pic.twitter.com/zNWWzYtK8i

— SolomanNB (@NbSoloman) June 25, 2026

8.

This robot doesn’t have any usable hands.

— Unfiltered Artist (@EmpireEnjoyer3) June 24, 2026

9.

Glad to see China taking the lead on humanoid robots that will make our lives easier, by doing dumbass dance moves

— oops (@fataloops) June 25, 2026

10.

Guys, all you have to do is show it grocery shopping, and cooking a delicious meal. I don't care if it can do air flares, hand hops, or 1990s… If I it can't cook, I don't have a home for it

— すいりゆ☻う (@FF_Suiryu) June 24, 2026

11.

All these robotics companies have their marketing wrong.

Nobody wants these stupid dance moves, it’s just engineers saying — look what I make scrap metal do.

Show me a robot that …

walks into an untidy living room filled with toys, mixed in with sticky Cheerios, laundry… https://t.co/aas3dhZc1n

— Vikram Sekar (@vikramskr) June 24, 2026

12.

My robot helper doing sick moves in the living room while my dishes and laundry pile up https://t.co/F9KFzN42YO

— AuthorTimoBurnham (@PunishedTimo) June 26, 2026

13.

$4,900 for a humanoid robot feels cheap.. but if it can only dance and not get a drink from the fridge, it feels expensive. https://t.co/0s8YvxkimN

— techAU (@techAU) June 29, 2026

14.

Does it do more than just be an annoying twat? https://t.co/V7ZvoTQ6QM

— Norma (@JoonesNorma) June 24, 2026

15.

Mine is me in real life pic.twitter.com/zLh3OtKk5g

— Bboy Kupsey (@Crypto_bboys) June 24, 2026

Source UnitreeRobotics Image Screengrab