SHENZHEN-BASED UBTECH Robotics announced Sunday that European aerospace leader Airbus has signed an agreement to purchase an unspecified number of its industrial humanoid robot, the Walker S2, for use in Airbus’ manufacturing facilities.

The bipedal robots will be deployed in aircraft production, marking a significant step in the commercial application of humanoid robotics within complex, high-precision industrial environments.

According to UBTECH, this collaboration with Airbus represents a major expansion of its humanoid robots’ applications — from industrial scenarios in China to five key global sectors: aviation manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, consumer electronics, smart logistics, and semiconductor manufacturing.

The move follows UBTECH’s strategic partnership with U.S. semiconductor giant Texas Instruments last year.

The firm stated that the industrial value of humanoid robots, as part of the “new quality productive forces,” is being further extended. Both parties will jointly explore and expand the deployment of such robots in aviation manufacturing.

While humanoid robots have often been showcased more for demonstration than for practical use, deals with industry giants like Airbus and Texas Instruments signal a shift from research curiosities to tangible industrial tools. UBTECH’s plan to mass-produce 10,000 units this year reflects a confident bet that the market is ready for bipedal automation. A standout feature of the Walker S2 is its ability to autonomously swap its own battery — highlighting a design focus on minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency, a priority well understood in manufacturing.

In 2025, UBTECH’s humanoid robot orders exceeded 1.4 billion yuan (US$200 million), ranking first globally.

Beyond China, UBTECH has begun gradually expanding into overseas manufacturing markets, including Europe and the United States.

(SD News)