China deploys humanoid robots at national borders

Chinese company UBTech Robotics has signed a contract worth an estimated €34 million to deploy industrial humanoid robots at border crossings in Guangxi. It is one of the largest real-world projects to use humanoid systems in government operations. Deliveries are expected to begin in December.

The deal was struck with the Humanoid Robot Center in Fangchenggang, a coastal city near Vietnam. The deployment will include the Walker S2 model, unveiled in July, which is described as the world's first humanoid robot capable of replacing its own battery.

According to the South China Morning Post, the pilot program will deploy Walker S2 robots at border checkpoints to direct travelers, manage staff flow, assist with patrols, perform logistics tasks, and support commercial services. In addition to immigration tasks, the robots will also be used in steel, copper, and aluminum manufacturing for inspections.

The Walker S2 measures 1.76 meters and has 52 degrees of freedom, including sophisticated arms that enable sub-millimeter precision. Each arm can lift up to 15 kilograms, while high-performance joints allow for deep squats and bends. A special feature is the dual battery system that allows for automatic exchange in three minutes, ensuring almost continuous operation.

For perception and decision-making, the robot uses UBTech's BrainNet 2.0 and Co-Agent AI systems, which combine multimodal reasoning, task planning, and exception handling. Stereo RGB vision enables human-like depth perception, while advanced balance algorithms enable stable movement at speeds of up to 7.2 km/h.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has set up a national committee for humanoid robotics, indicating the rapid development of the sector. Robotics are increasingly being used in healthcare, elderly care, urban cleaning, traffic management, public security and automated delivery. And soon, border control.