UBTECH Secures Landmark Deal to Deploy Humanoid Robots in Airbus Manufacturing

UBTECH's Walker S2 to Enter Airbus Production Lines

Shenzhen, China – Chinese humanoid robot developer UBTECH Robotics has announced a significant agreement to supply its advanced Walker S2 humanoid robots to European aviation leader Airbus. The robots are slated for deployment within Airbus's manufacturing facilities, marking a pivotal moment for the integration of humanoid robotics into the complex and precision-driven aerospace industry. This partnership aims to jointly explore and expand the application of humanoid robots in aviation manufacturing scenarios.

The deal underscores UBTECH's accelerated global expansion efforts, following a similar partnership last year with US semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments (TI). The company, founded in Shenzhen in 2012 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in late 2023, is actively pushing to deploy its humanoid robots across various industrial sectors, including aviation, automotive, consumer electronics, and smart logistics.

Advanced Capabilities of the Walker S2

The Walker S2 is an industrial-grade humanoid robot designed for demanding factory environments. Standing approximately 1.76 meters (5'9") tall and weighing around 70 kg (154 lbs), the robot is equipped with highly dexterous arms and hands featuring 11 degrees of freedom and tactile sensors. It can handle payloads of up to 15 kg (33 lbs), with the ability to carry 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) in each hand and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) with each finger.

Key features that make the Walker S2 suitable for industrial applications include:

• Vision System: A pure RGB binocular stereo vision system provides human-like depth perception, enabling precise spatial awareness and navigation in dynamic factory settings.
• AI System: Powered by UBTECH's proprietary 'Co-Agent' artificial intelligence system, which integrates multi-modal reasoning and embodied models for motion planning, object recognition, and task coordination.
• Autonomous Battery Swapping: A world-first autonomous hot-swappable battery system allows the Walker S2 to replace its own batteries in under 3 minutes, ensuring continuous 24/7 operation and minimizing downtime.
• Mobility and Manipulation: Features a ±162° rotating waist for extensive reach and flexibility, and 52 degrees of freedom for human-like movement and precision manipulation.

Strategic Implications for Aviation Manufacturing

Airbus's decision to integrate the Walker S2 robots signifies a strategic move to explore how humanoid robots can support aircraft assembly tasks in real-world production environments. The collaboration will focus on assessing the robots' performance in tasks requiring precise movement, consistent output, and strict safety controls. While specific details regarding the number of robots or the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, the agreement is viewed as an initial step for demonstration and testing purposes.

This partnership aligns with Airbus's broader robotics strategy, which aims to enhance efficiency, improve quality, and allow human operators to focus on more complex, value-added tasks by automating repetitive processes. The introduction of humanoid robots, capable of operating in existing factory layouts without extensive redesign, offers a flexible solution for future aircraft production.

UBTECH's Growing Market Presence

UBTECH's total orders for humanoid robots surpassed 1.4 billion yuan (approximately US$201 million) in 2025. The company has ambitious production targets, expecting to ship 'tens of thousands' of industrial humanoids in 2026, with an annual production capacity projected to reach 10,000 units by 2026 or 2027. This rapid scale-up positions UBTECH as a key player in the burgeoning global humanoid robotics market, demonstrating China's increasing influence in advanced industrial automation.