UBTech and Midea Push Humanoid Robots Onto Chinese Factory Floors

China's UBTech and Midea Accelerate Humanoid Robot Deployment in Factories

Two prominent Chinese companies, UBTech Robotics and Midea Group, are advancing efforts to integrate humanoid robots into manufacturing environments, signalling a tangible step in China's broader push for robotics adoption.

UBTech Secures Factory Order

Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics announced it has secured a buyer for a "small batch" of its bipedal Walker S1 and Walker C humanoid robots. According to a company filing, these robots are intended for use in automobile factories, covering both manufacturing tasks and potentially commercial hospitality roles.

While UBTech did not officially name the buyer, reports suggest it is Dongfeng Liuqi Motor, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group. Dongfeng Liuqi previously announced plans last month to acquire at least 20 Walker S1 units for industrial purposes. The 172cm tall Walker S1 is specifically designed for industrial applications, while the slightly shorter Walker C (163cm) targets service roles. UBTech confirmed receiving an advance payment for the order.

Midea Deploys In-House Robots

Meanwhile, home appliance giant Midea Group, known for its 2017 acquisition of German industrial robot maker Kuka, is preparing to deploy its own self-developed humanoid robots within its factories. Starting in early May, these wheeled humanoids are set to begin work at Midea's smart factory in Jingzhou, Hubei province.

Initial tasks will include product quality inspection, with plans for the robots to connect to certain home appliances like microwave ovens and refrigerators by June. Midea envisions broader roles in the future, including equipment maintenance, factory examinations, and even customer-facing tasks in retail stores, such as product introductions and coffee preparation.

Xi Wei, Director of Midea's Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, noted that commercialization is potentially achievable within three to five years. The current focus remains on more structured environments like manufacturing and retail before tackling less predictable household applications. The company is actively working on improving battery life and reducing the weight of its robots.

Industry Context

These developments align with broader trends in China's robotics sector. Market research firm TrendForce recently reported that six out of 11 domestic humanoid robot makers aim to produce over 1,000 units each in 2025. UBTech itself stated plans in March to manufacture 1,000 humanoids this year. The moves by UBTech and Midea represent concrete, albeit initial, steps towards integrating humanoid forms into practical industrial workflows.

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