Recently, live-streaming rooms dedicated to "robot repair" have been popping up en masse on short-video platforms. In these streams, some hosts showcase the process of repairing various robots, while others focus on displaying the intricate internal details of these machines—all with a single goal: enticing viewers to purchase courses costing 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. According to their marketing pitches, graduates can earn 20,000 yuan a month "with ease" after completing the training.

However, our investigation, which included interviews with multiple students and industry insiders, reveals a starkly different reality. While it's true that warranty periods for leading robot products typically range from six months to one year, leaving consumers with hefty repair bills after expiration—which suggests a potential "blue ocean" market—the actual income for most students falls far short of the promised 20,000 yuan monthly figure.

Many students admitted they "only earn a bit of pocket money," citing a lack of orders and difficulty sourcing parts. One student candidly remarked, "You think you'll be repairing high-end humanoid robots? In reality, most of the work involves fixing robot vacuums."

Adding to the frustration, the real beneficiaries of this boom are the training institutions themselves. Beyond course fees, they generate revenue through equipment rental, parts resale, on-site debugging services, and secondary development projects. It seems the "shovel sellers" are the ones getting rich first.

Moreover, major corporations have already announced plans to enter this business. Robot manufacturers are establishing service networks across multiple cities, creating a closed-loop system that will inevitably squeeze the living space of independent repair technicians.

Affordable to Buy, Expensive to Repair

After multiple appearances at the Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots have truly entered the public consciousness. During the 2026 Year of the Horse Gala, searches for robots on JD.com surged over 300% month-over-month. On New Year's Eve, several robot models from brands including Magic Atom, Unitree, and Songyan Power sold out within minutes of being listed on the platform. Simultaneously, as prices continue to drop, products under 10,000 yuan are beginning to emerge, making it possible for average consumers to bring a robot home.

However, while the front-end market for development and manufacturing is thriving, the after-sales service and repair sector remains largely untapped, creating a new dilemma: affordable to purchase but prohibitively expensive to maintain. Media reports highlight a consumer who spent 200,000 yuan on a consumer-grade humanoid robot and received a 30,000 yuan repair bill for damage, including 28,000 yuan for module materials and 2,000 yuan for labor and calibration fees.

At the recent World Robot Conference (WRC), our conversations with industry professionals confirmed that repair costs are indeed exorbitant. One insider noted, "We have partnerships with robot manufacturers, so repairs are free for us. But for ordinary consumers, a single repair can cost tens of thousands of yuan. The more expensive the product, the higher the repair cost."

Yet, the standard warranty period for humanoid robots on the market is surprisingly short. According to our data, products from Unitree, Agibot, and UBTECH's bionic robots have a six-month warranty, while Dobot, Zhongqing, Magic Atom, and Songyan Power offer 12 months. Multiple customer service representatives stated that within the warranty period, repairs are free with shipping to the headquarters. Beyond warranty, customers must pay for official inspection and repair, plus shipping costs. When asked about repair timelines and fees, they said it depends on the specific situation.

"The first batch of humanoid robot buyers, especially those with Unitree units, have largely passed their warranty period," said Zhang Qi (pseudonym), an instructor at a robotics training center in Hangzhou. "Official repairs are expensive and slow. Manufacturers won't send technicians to individual buyers' homes. But third-party services can visit on-site, set their own prices, and control their own earnings."

According to Zhang, a single repair job can net at least 800 to 1,000 yuan, with more for parts replacement. "Simple tasks like on-site inspections or debugging, which require minimal effort, can still fetch 300 to 500 yuan per visit." Regarding parts sourcing, he revealed that his institution has connections with various manufacturers. "If someone goes independent, they can also get 'supplies' from us." He noted that their current clientele primarily comes from the robot rental industry and wedding/performance businesses. "These sectors find it difficult to send robots back to manufacturers for repairs, so they rely on third parties—it's more affordable and convenient."

Graduates' Reality: Limited Income, Hard to Land Big Orders

But is repairing robots truly as lucrative as advertised? Our inquiries with several "robot training schools" revealed that achieving a "monthly income of 20,000 yuan" through repair work is rarely attainable. At a training school in Chongqing, an employee named Wang Yu (pseudonym) described that graduates often stay on as staff, with diverse income streams including hands-on orders, rental business, repair commissions, and student recruitment bonuses. "The company assigns orders and you earn commissions. For repair and film-protection services, you get 30%-40% commission. If you rent out the company's robots, you also earn 30%-40%. Additionally, there are monthly recruitment targets: under 5 students earns you a 30% bonus, 6-10 students 35%, and over 10 students 40%."

When pressed about how many orders one could expect from repair work alone, Wang admitted that the income from repair-only orders is currently very limited. "Going solo might not yield much. You're better off working with a school to make real money."

Another school echoed this sentiment: "Students with good skills who take repair orders through us only make around 6,000 yuan a month. 20,000 yuan is an exaggeration." They also mentioned another option: "Stay on as an instructor—the first two months' salary offsets the tuition, and then you receive regular pay."

Clearly, very few can achieve the dream of going independent with a stable stream of orders. "This repair work should only be a side gig. Don't make it your full-time job right now," warned one graduate. "The adoption rate of humanoid robots is still low, and it's hard to secure orders on your own. Rental scenarios are already monopolized by training institutions or early entrants. You'd be lucky to get one or two orders a month."

A repair technician went further, stating that humanoid robot repairs are virtually non-existent at this stage. "It's mostly robot vacuums, and occasionally some robotic dogs." The most critical challenge for independent third-party repairers is the parts issue. Core components are typically custom-made by manufacturers, with significant variation between brands and designs, making universal compatibility impossible. Even authorized dealers face regional restrictions on parts procurement. Establishing a reliable and diverse supply chain for parts is a monumental hurdle for anyone venturing into this field.

Currently, robot repair training courses cost between 20,000 and 30,000 yuan per session, lasting 30-40 days, and generally excluding room and board. As illustrated, these training schools aren't just about teaching; they also profit from rental, parts resale, on-site debugging, and secondary development. Once again, it's the "shovel sellers" who get rich first.

Industry Giants Move In, Shrinking Space for Independent Repairers

As consumer-grade robot products accelerate into the market, major players are eyeing the lucrative after-sales and repair sector. At the recent WRC, JD.com, a key sales channel for robots, unveiled its latest strategic initiatives. Jing Xiaodan, head of JD Retail's embodied intelligence business, shared with us that "robot ambulances" and other after-sales repair services have already been launched in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

This year's WRC also saw an increasing number of robot manufacturers pivoting toward home scenarios, where after-sales support becomes paramount. An industry insider explained, "Previously, the focus was on B2B scenarios—research and collaboration—where more tech-savvy people could handle remote adjustments and resolve minor issues on the spot. But B2C scenarios are entirely different." He revealed that while many consumer-facing products haven't officially shipped yet, manufacturers are already planning their after-sales strategies.

Mozhi Robot, which just launched a home-oriented long-task product, stated its plans for "on-site repair" services. "Given the inconvenience and long turnaround times of shipping robots by mail, we're considering outsourcing repair work to establish service stations in various cities, focusing on doorstep repairs."

Additionally, "robot 4S stores" are being rolled out, with repair and parts support as core functions. This is just the beginning. Multiple manufacturers, including UBTECH, have revealed intentions to open stores in various cities to get closer to consumers and offer better after-sales protection.

The after-sales market for robots is undeniably vast and profitable. As robots increasingly enter households, no manufacturer can afford to ignore this segment. They will seek to control it through every possible channel, inevitably narrowing the opportunities for independent repair professionals. Objectively speaking, learning robot repair skills could help with career transitions and job hunting. As the robot market flourishes, skilled talent will certainly be in demand. However, the dream of "easily earning 20,000 yuan a month" as an independent third-party repairer seems far from realistic.