Chinese Shenzhen-based humanoid robot maker UBTech announced on Wednesday (January 15) a new partnership with Apple’s Chinese manufacturing partner, Foxconn, to use its robots to help make iPhones. The so-called”comprehensive long-term partnership” will see UBTech’s Walker S1 humanoid robots perform complicated and delicate production” duties.
To this end, UBTech is already training its robots to handle various manufacturing-based tasks. This includes functions for multiple industries, from automotive to computers and consumer electronics.
“For car manufacturing, there [are] thousands of tasks on our list,” UBTech’s chief brand officer Michael Tam said. “In areas like 3C production, [these are] new skills for humanoid robots to learn,” he added. In case you are unaware, 3C refers to computers, communication, and consumer electronics.
The company has also announced that the new partnership will also help accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) technology development in manufacturing.
Building iPhone’s with robots
The robot in question, UBTech’s proprietary Walker S1, first launched in October 2024. It stands at 5.6 feet (1.72 m) tall and weighs 167.6 pounds (76 kg), closely resembling a human in size.
The robot has been specifically designed to perform various tasks, from conducting visual quality inspections to carrying parcels of different sizes. It can also reportedly tighten screws with an electric screwdriver, assemble components, and sort parts.
Reportedly, UBTech has already completed several months of training for logistics operations at Foxconn subsidiary Foxtron’s factories in Shenzhen’s Longhua district.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHe1zSQwep0
Following this training, the Walker S1 is set to be deployed at Foxconn’s electric vehicle factory in Zhengzhou city. Foxconn has developed a series of EVs, including its latest Model N cargo can and Model B midsize hatchback.
Under the new agreement, UBTech will test the feasibility of using humanoid robots in tasks including moving, sorting, and quality inspection. Priority will be given to automating tasks potentially impacting human workers’ health, such as lifting and carrying heavy loads.
The partnership will also see both companies collaborate to improve the robots’ motion, perception, and decision-making capabilities. It will also seek to establish a laboratory to explore more applications and technologies.
Walker S1 already popular in China
Beyond this partnership, UBTech (which first went public in 2023) has been working hard to promote the use of humanoid robots in Chinese manufacturing. So far, they have convinced Chinese EV carmaker BYD and Chinese courier SF Express to experiment with its humanoid robots.
Beyond BYD and SF Express, UBTech has secured clients such as state-owned Dongfeng Motor, FAW-Volkswagen, and Geely. Regarding its new partnership with Foxconn, UBTech said it would “accelerate the wider application of humanoid robots in smart manufacturing” and “rapidly reduce the cost of production by leveraging Foxconn’s supply chain advantages.”
The company also added that it aims to be the world’s first robot maker to achieve “commercial mass production” of humanoid robots through the Foxconn partnership.
“China is witnessing a robust growth in humanoid robots, driven by the country’s rich talent pool, a mature industrial chain, and growing market expectations,” Yang Zhengye, the marketing director of the Shanghai-based National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, told Chinese state media.
