Chinese humanoid robot company UBTech Robotics and home appliance giant Midea Group are accelerating the deployment of robotic workers in factories, as the country pushes for greater adoption of the technology.
UBTech has secured a buyer for a “small batch” of its bipedal robots Walker S1 and Walker C, to be used “for manufacturing needs and commercial hospitality in automobile factories”, the company said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Sunday.
The Shenzhen-based company did not disclose the buyer, but carmaker Dongfeng Liuqi Motor, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group in China’s southern Guangxi region, announced last month that it planned to buy at least 20 UBTech Walker S1 robots for industrial use within 30 days. Guangzhou-based newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily reported on Sunday that Dongfeng was the UBTech buyer, citing an unnamed source.
UBTech said it had received advance payment for the purchase. Standing 172cm tall, the Walker S1 is designed for industrial use, while the 163cm-tall Walker C is intended for service applications, according to the company.
Midea, based in Foshan in southern Guangdong province, said on Sunday that it planned to put some self-developed humanoid robots, which move on wheels, to work at one of its smart factories in early May. By June, the robots are expected to be able to inspect product quality and connect to some home appliances, such as microwave ovens, steam ovens, refrigerators, washers and dryers, the company said on its official WeChat account.
Midea, which made a significant move into robotics in 2017 with its acquisition of German industrial robot maker Kuka, plans to have its humanoid robots, conducting equipment maintenance and factory examinations, as well as serve at some of its bricks-and-mortar retail outlets to introduce customers to its household appliances, distribute gifts and make coffee, according to the company.
