Qingtian Rental Launches as China's First Open Robot Leasing Platform

A new robot leasing platform called Qingtian Rental officially launched on December 22, 2025, at the National Robot Leasing Ecosystem Summit held at the Zhangjiang Science Hall in Shanghai. Described as the first open robot leasing platform in China, the launch event was themed "Intelligent Collaboration, New Era Together" and brought together manufacturers, service providers, investors, and end-users, according to Boardor.

A Pay-Per-Use Model for Robots

Qingtian Rental is built around an on-demand, pay-per-use leasing structure that its organizers compare to power bank rental services. The goal is to let users access robots without the upfront purchase costs and maintenance risks typically associated with ownership, Boardor reported.

The platform already connects over 600 service providers across 50 core cities in China, spanning first-, second-, and third-tier markets as well as commercial centers and industrial parks. This network is intended to give robot manufacturers wider market access while improving service response times for users, per the report.

Pricing and Product Range

The platform aggregates multiple brands and categories of robots, including service, industrial, and special-purpose machines. Monthly rental rates reportedly range from 200 yuan for basic models, such as entry-level welcoming robots, up to 100,000 yuan for high-end industrial units, allowing both individual users and large enterprises to select options based on budget, according to Boardor.

Technology and Support Services

Qingtian Rental uses IoT-based monitoring to track robot operational status, usage frequency, and faults in real time, paired with AI algorithms that recommend leasing plans based on historical usage data. Beyond leasing, the platform offers installation, operator training, maintenance, and connections to application development teams for enterprises seeking customized robot deployments, Boardor reported.

Lowering Costs and Setting Standards

According to statistics cited by Boardor, companies adopting the leasing model instead of outright purchase can cut initial investment costs by 60% to 80%, with return-on-investment periods shortened to six to twelve months. The platform also applies unified equipment standards, service certifications, and coding systems for traceable management, aiming to address inconsistent standards across the broader robot industry.

Qingtian Rental's organizers have outlined plans to expand its service ecosystem further by incorporating additional robot categories and application scenarios, particularly in commercial settings, though specific details on this expansion were not included in the available report.

Sources: Boardor — original article.