TL;DR
AI robotics startup Zeroth has developed a companion robot closely modeled on Disney’s WALL‑E; the officially licensed version is currently being sold in China. The company plans to offer a visually similar, off‑brand variant in the United States priced at $5,599.
What happened
Zeroth, an AI robotics startup, has built a companion robot that strongly resembles the character WALL‑E. The company is marketing a Disney‑licensed version of that robot in China, while preparing to introduce a separate, lookalike model in the United States for $5,599. The US offering is described in the reporting as an off‑brand variant rather than the Disney‑licensed design sold in China. Specifics about the US model’s official name, feature set, performance, availability dates, retail partners and whether the US version carries any licensing from Disney are not confirmed in the source. Zeroth’s approach highlights both consumer interest in character‑inspired robots and questions about regional licensing and product positioning between officially licensed and unbranded versions.
Why it matters
- Shows growing commercial interest in consumer companion robots influenced by popular culture.
- Highlights the role of licensing in where and how branded robot products are sold.
- The US price point ($5,599) suggests these robots target higher‑end consumer or enthusiast buyers, not mass‑market entry‑level buyers.
- Raises questions about how companies differentiate licensed and unlicensed variants for different markets.
Key facts
- The company behind the robot is Zeroth, described as an AI robotics startup.
- Zeroth created a robot modeled closely after the WALL‑E character.
- A Disney‑licensed version of the WALL‑E design is currently on sale in China.
- Zeroth plans to sell a visually similar off‑brand version in the United States.
- The reported US price for the off‑brand model is $5,599.
- The source describes the product as a companion robot.
- The exact name of the US model and details about its hardware, features and availability are not confirmed in the source.
- Whether the US variant is officially licensed by Disney is not confirmed in the source.
What to watch next
- Whether the US model will carry an official Disney license or remain unlicensed — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact model name, specifications, and shipping dates for the US offering — not confirmed in the source.
- How retailers and regulators respond to a close visual replica being sold in a different market — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Companion robot: A robot designed to interact with people and provide social, entertainment, or assistive functions rather than industrial tasks.
- Licensed design: A product design officially authorized by the intellectual‑property holder, allowing use of a character or branding under agreed terms.
- Off‑brand: A product that imitates the look or function of a well‑known brand or character but is not officially authorized or licensed by the brand owner.
- AI robotics startup: A new or early‑stage company focused on building robots that use artificial intelligence for perception, decision‑making and interaction.
Reader FAQ
Is this robot an official Disney product in the US?
Not confirmed in the source.
Where is the Disney‑licensed WALL‑E robot available?
The Disney‑licensed version is currently on sale in China, according to the source.
How much will the US version cost?
The reported price for the US off‑brand model is $5,599.
What is the name of the US model?
Not confirmed in the source.
Zeroth’s W1 robot isn’t quite WALL-E — but it’s close. An AI robotics startup called Zeroth is turning WALL-E into a real-life robot companion. Though the WALL-E version with the…
Sources
- This startup brought WALL-E to life and will also sell you WALL-E’s weird cousin
- CES 2026: all the news, gadgets, and innovations from …
- Startup crowdfunding robot that looks like Wall-E
- Top robotics companies in the USA: 2025 industry guide
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