In China, AI-powered humanoid robots are training to take over factory operations without human guidance. The way they’re working together and making decisions could change how factories operate forever.
Leading Chinese robotics firm UBTECH just shared footage of a large fleet of its industrial humanoids performing a wide range of tasks at Zeekr’s smart automotive factory. The Shenzhen-based company said the robots Walker S1 robots work together as an “intelligent swarm” using its self-developed BrainNet AI system.
The advancement comes as China’s technological arms race with the West heats up, with perceived leaders like Figure AI, Tesla, Agility Robotics, Apptronik, and 1X Technologies racing toward mass deployment. UBTECH is one of the most established players in China’s race to rule the emerging humanoid robotics market by 2027.
According to UBTECH, the robots self-organize and distribute tasks without needing human involvement. The humanoids can communicate, coordinate, and complete tasks as a team. They share data and adapt to their environment in real-time.
With cross-field fusion perception, the robots combine vision, touch, and AI decision-making to understand their surroundings and take actions. In the video, the robots carry heavy and bulky objects together. They avoid dropping or damaging items with precise force control. The humanoids demonstrate intelligent hybrid decision-making by sorting objects based on their properties.
In another clip, one of the Walker S1 robots suddenly runs out of batteries outdoors. Another robot notices and quickly charges it using what looks like a port from an EV charging station. This means the factory never has to stop working because the robots keep each other powered up.
UBTECH says the robots use artificial intelligence to make smart choices without needing constant instructions. In the new demo, the robots are shown handling flexible and soft materials, using sensors in their hands to detect pressure. They take on quality inspection tasks, using their AI vision systems to check for defects during manufacturing.
UBTECH plans to mass produce between 500 and 1,000 of its industrial humanoids in 2025. The company’s flagship humanoid, the Walker S1, is gaining popularity in China’s manufacturing sector, with early adopters including Foxconn, SF Express, and BYD, which surpassed Tesla in 2024 as the world’s largest EV maker. UBTECH says more than 500 preorders have been placed by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers.
At Foxconn, Walker robots are being deployed for iPhone assembly tasks, making them part of global manufacturing. After testing, the electronics manufacturing giant plans to deploy the robots in its automotive plant in Zhengzhou.
UBTECH has also developed a full-stack logistics system for replacing material handlers, forklift operators, warehouse workers, and even supervisors. UBTECH says the system reduces manual labor for repetitive tasks and boosts demand for robotics roles.
The Walker S1 industrial humanoid robot performs tasks like moving, sorting, and placing materials onto pallets of vehicles. The AI robot teams up with the T3000, an autonomous tractor towing six trolleys with up to 3.3 tons indoors and outdoors. Chitu, a Level 4 autonomous logistics vehicle, transports empty trolleys back to the loading areas.
The system automates picking, packing, and dispatching, cutting the need for warehouse labor. The robotic system automates scheduling, dispatching, and tasks, reducing human input in logistics. The intelligent manufacturing system manages operations, cutting reliance on supervisors and inspectors.
UBTECH unveiled the Walker S1 in October 2024 with a video of the robot walking steadily on a treadmill while carrying a heavy load. Standing 1.7 meters (5 feet 6 inches), the Walker S1 weighs 76 kg (167 lbs). Its dexterous hands are equipped with tactile sensors for delicate tasks. Its camera system provides 360-degree safety monitoring.
UBTECH introduced its first Walker robot back in 2018. The original Walker was a bipedal humanoid robot designed primarily to showcase the company’s recent advancements in AI and robotics. The first iterations were geared toward home and office assistance applications.
Around 2020, UBTECH began shifting the Walker product line’s purpose toward more versatile uses. The first Walker S model emerged in 2022 as a direct response to growing demand for industrial robotics.
UBTECH is also looking to automate customer-facing roles with its new hyper-realistic robot. Introduced at the LEAP Tech Conference in Saudi Arabia, the android named Una is meant for applications in healthcare, hospitality, and customer support. UBTECH says the robot excels at nonverbal communication. One of its standout features is its emotional intelligence, facilitated with state-of-the-art sensors and natural language processing.
UBTECH is also backing the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center as it advances its indigenously built open-sourced humanoid, Tiangong. UBTECH featured Tiangong in its Chinese New Year video message. The company is integrating the humanoid into new AI and robotics programs for education and research.