Soon, humanoid robots could become a common sight in various industries as companies like China’s UBTech Robotics gear up to mass-produce human-like machines. By the end of this year, UBTech plans to deliver between 500 and 1,000 units of its Walker S Series industrial humanoid robots, with the upcoming Walker S2 model expected to account for over 60% of the deliveries.
The demand for humanoid robots is particularly strong in manufacturing, where labor shortages have become a pressing issue. UBTech’s Walker S series, which includes the Walker S, Walker S1, and the soon-to-be-released Walker S2, features cutting-edge perception systems that enable the robots to collaborate safely and precisely on factory assembly lines. These robots, which integrate AI and robotics technology, are designed to empower industries by automating tasks that were once reliant on human workers. The Walker S model comes equipped with over 41 servo joints, as well as a range of sensors including visual, audio, and distance detection, allowing the robot to perceive its surroundings with remarkable reliability.
The Walker S1, UBTech’s most advanced industrial humanoid, launched in October of last year, has already been integrated into production lines at several leading car manufacturers, including BYD. The robot’s 360-degree multimodal perception, integrated joints, and dexterous hands, powered by a Large Language Model (LLM), make it capable of handling complex tasks. The Walker S1’s success is evident in the fact that UBTech received over 500 orders for it from major automakers in 2024. In a significant move, UBTech also partnered with Foxconn on January 15th to integrate the Walker S1 into iPhone manufacturing, further showcasing the robot’s growing influence in the industry.
UBTech’s ambitions don’t stop with the Walker S1. The company plans to launch the Walker S2 in the second quarter of this year, a “lighter and stronger version” of its existing robot, with improved precision, advanced vision systems, enhanced AI algorithms for faster task adaptation, and an increased load capacity. UBTech is also expected to introduce a newer model of this series later in the year, although details remain scarce.
The company’s move to ramp up production comes amid fierce competition in China’s rapidly growing robotics sector. New players like Agibot (Zhiyuan Robotics) have announced plans to produce 1,000 units of their own humanoid robots, even though the Shanghai-based startup only launched its first model in August 2023.
While companies like Tesla aim to achieve mass production of humanoid robots by 2026, UBTech is banking on its decade of experience in the field to maintain a competitive edge. However, the company still faces significant financial challenges, particularly in terms of the high costs associated with robotics development.
