A Chinese robotics company has started testing humanoid robots inside real homes. The move is seen as an important step toward creating robots that can help with everyday household work. Wuhan-based company GigaAI has deployed its first batch of 100 SeeLight S1 humanoid robots for home testing. According to reports, this is China’s first large-scale household trial of a general-purpose humanoid robot.
SeeLight S1 Performs Household Chores
In a demonstration apartment in Wuhan, the robots carried out several daily tasks. One robot prepared breakfast by collecting food, heating chicken in a microwave, clearing dishes, and loading a dishwasher. Another robot removed clothes from a dryer, folded them, and placed them in a wardrobe. The company said the robots learned these tasks after less than a month of training inside the home.
Why Home Environments Are Difficult for Robots
Homes are much harder for robots than factories. Furniture can be moved, objects may not stay in the same place, and every family follows different routines. To handle these challenges, the SeeLight S1 uses an advanced AI system that can understand spoken instructions, observe its surroundings, plan actions, and complete tasks on its own.
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The robot can also continue working even if the environment changes during a task.
Humanoid Robots Still Have Limitations
Despite the progress, the robots are still far from becoming fully capable household assistants. Reports suggest some tasks take a long time. Organising a few books can take several minutes, while folding a single piece of clothing may take more than 10 minutes. The robot also struggles with tasks such as carrying cups without spilling liquids.
GigaAI Plans More Advanced Home Robots
The current SeeLight S1 is mainly being used to collect real-world data and improve its AI systems. GigaAI plans to launch an upgraded SeeLight S2 later this year. The new model is expected to have a smaller design, longer battery life, better reach, and improved AI capabilities. The company also plans to test the robots in homes with elderly people, children, and different living conditions.
A Major Step for Household Robotics
While humanoid robots are not yet ready to replace human helpers, placing 100 robots in real homes is a major experiment. The focus is now shifting from impressive robot demonstrations to a bigger challenge: whether robots can successfully handle the unpredictable nature of everyday life.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future. She has also conducted high-profile interviews and podcasts with industry leaders, bringing sharp analysis and accessible storytelling to a wide audience.
