Chinese automaker Chery has begun selling its self-developed humanoid robot to consumers, marking a significant step toward commercialization of embodied AI. Priced at 285,800 yuan (~$41,830), the robot is now available through Chery's flagship store on JD.com, according to CNEVPost. Previously deployed as a sales assistant in overseas dealerships, the robot handles proactive greeting, vehicle explanation, intelligent Q&A, and demonstrations.
Key takeaways
- Consumer launch follows a staged strategy: automotive showrooms first, then retail and public service, eventually home use.
- Chery is building a distribution network with over 300 distributors, including retail stores, dealerships, and supermarket-style outlets.
- A quadruped robot dog is also offered at 15,800 yuan, indicating a broader push into consumer robotics.
- Current capabilities focus on conversational interaction and structured tasks, not general-purpose home utility.
Chery's move reflects a trend of Chinese industrial firms leveraging manufacturing and supply chain strengths into embodied AI. However, near-term practicality in homes remains limited, making this more an early experiment in transitioning robots from controlled commercial settings to public use.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2026-04-13 · “Chinese automaker Chery begins selling humanoid robot to consumers for $42,000 each”