WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF
Humanoid robots are seen as a way to replace human labour leading to a future of “labour abundance” which could change economic of labour forever.
Love the Exponential Future? Join our XPotential Community, future proof yourself with courses from XPotential University, read about exponential tech and trends, connect, watch a keynote, or browse my blog.
Humanoid robots may become commonplace in the future as companies plan to mass-produce these human-like machines which in time some billionaire polymaths such as Elon Musk say will “create an age where labour is abundant” – which could reshape entire economies, especially when you also factor in the concept of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) limitless workforce.
Now, as the humanoid robot race heats up China’s UBTech Robotics is gearing up to mass-produce its humanoid robots by the end of this year. The company aims to deliver between 500 and 1,000 units of its Walker S Series industrial humanoid robots.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the upcoming Walker S2 model is expected to account for over 60% of this year’s humanoid robot deliveries.
Reportedly, these robots will be delivered to various industries including car manufacturers, Apple supplier Foxconn, and logistics firm SF Express.
Many industries, particularly manufacturing, are facing a shortage of human workers. The labor shortage is a big reason factories are increasingly interested in using humanoid robots. As per the company’s website, the Walker S series includes the Walker S, Walker S1, and the upcoming S2.
These incorporate advanced perception systems, enabling precise and safe collaborative work on factory assembly lines. The humanoids aim to empower industries by integrating AI and robotics technologies.
Walker S features over 41 servo joints. Furthermore, Walker S possesses advanced capabilities including multiple sensors (visual, audio, and distance), and the ability to explore its environment. Walker S possesses robust capabilities for reliably perceiving its surroundings, including humans and objects.
The advanced Walker S1 has features like 360-degree multimodal perception, integrated joints, and dexterous hands and is equipped with a Large Language Model (LLM) for general task planning.
The Walker S1 — the company’s most advanced industrial humanoid — was launched last October. The humanoid robot has already been successfully integrated into the production lines of several leading car manufacturers, including BYD.
In fact, apparently UBTech received over 500 orders for its Walker S1 robot from major automakers last year. On January 15th, UBTech Robotics entered into a new partnership with Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, to integrate its Walker S1 humanoid robot into iPhone manufacturing processes. But UBTech is not resting on its laurels.
Reportedly, the company plans to launch the Walker S2, a “lighter and stronger version” of its existing humanoid robot, in the second quarter of this year. Furthermore, they likely plan to introduce another newer model of this series by the end later in the year. At the moment, not many details have been disclosed about these upcoming robots.
The Walker S2 reportedly features several advancements, including enhanced precision, advanced vision systems, improved AI algorithms for quicker task adaptation, and increased load capacity. UBTech’s plans to ramp up production come amid a surge in competition within China’s robotics sector. Numerous new companies are rapidly developing their own humanoid robots.
Agibot, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, has announced bold plans to produce 1,000 units of its general-purpose commercial humanoid robots. Interestingly, the Shanghai-based startup launched its inaugural humanoid robot model just in August 2023.
The US companies like Tesla are aiming to achieve mass production of their humanoid robots in 2026. Competition is fierce, with new players entering the market rapidly, but the company believes its decade of experience gives it a competitive edge.
“Technology is a key driving power for the new companies, but it takes time for all of them to train or to make the talent pool, because humanoid robots are a really comprehensive area,” Michael Tam, chief brand officer, told SCMP.
However, UBTech continues to face financial challenges that are common in the robotics industry, primarily high investment costs.
