Chinese tech giant Ant Group, best known for its digital payments platform Alipay, has unveiled its first humanoid robot, R1, at recent technology events, positioning it as a potential rival to Tesla’s Optimus. The robot, developed by Shanghai Ant Lingbo Technology Co., a subsidiary of Ant Group backed by founder Jack Ma, made appearances at the IFA 2025 tech show in Berlin and the 2025 Inclusion Conference in Shanghai, according to Bloomberg. In one of the most visible demonstrations, R1 was shown preparing shrimp during a live cooking session at IFA, highlighting its potential role in household or commercial kitchens. The company envisions a range of applications for the robot, including serving as a personal companion or caregiver in healthcare settings, and as a robotic tour guide in tourism and hospitality industries. Despite the promotional footage, R1’s real-world capabilities remain uncertain. The robot’s performance in the videos has drawn mixed reactions, particularly due to its extremely slow movements—such as placing a box on a counter at a pace that has been compared to a sloth. This has led to skepticism about its practicality and readiness for widespread deployment. Ant Group has not yet announced a launch date or pricing for R1. The robot is currently undergoing testing in community centers and restaurants, with the company gathering feedback to refine its functionality. As with many early-stage humanoid robots, R1’s full potential will likely depend on how well it can navigate complex environments and perform tasks independently and efficiently. The emergence of R1 reflects a broader global trend: major technology firms are investing heavily in the convergence of artificial intelligence and physical robotics, aiming to create intelligent machines capable of interacting with the real world. While Tesla’s Optimus has garnered significant attention, R1 now enters the race, adding a new player from China’s rapidly advancing tech sector. However, until R1 demonstrates consistent, autonomous performance outside controlled environments, its true capabilities remain to be proven.