China tests AI robot cleaners in homes

In a Beijing apartment, cleaner Lin Meiqiong works alongside an AI-powered robot on a domestic cleaning job. The 56-year-old says the machine makes the work slightly easier, even if it still needs close human help. The robot, part of a service run by 58.com with X Square, uses cameras and mechanical arms to pick up rubbish and fold clothes. It can identify mess in real time but still struggles with basic dexterity. Engineers say it is being tested in real homes in Beijing and Shenzhen to gather data for future AI systems, rather than as a fully finished product. About 200 households have tried the service since March, paying 149 yuan for three hours. Developers say the aim is to train embodied AI in everyday settings. Experts, however, say wider use is limited by safety, privacy concerns and the current gap between human and robot skill.