Humanoids in factories share knowledge as they learn

In a demonstration, two robots synchronized to lift and transport crates, dynamically adjusting their route to avoid collisions

In the sprawling assembly lines of Chinese automaker Geely's Zeekr 5G smart factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, a new generation of workers is quietly revolutionizing manufacturing.

Standing 172 centimeters tall with a sleek silver exterior, UBTech Robotics' Walker S1 humanoid robots glide between workstations, sorting materials, transporting cargo and installing components with precision. What once belonged to sci-fi movies is now reality, as humanoid robots are no longer lab curiosities, but full-fledged "employees" in China's smart factories.

The journey of UBTech's humanoids began long before their industrial debut. In 2016, the company's robots dazzled audiences during China's Spring Festival Gala, showcasing acrobatic dances. Later, they served as museum guides and exhibition hosts. Last month, a humanoid named Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, which is co-founded by UBTech, won the world's first half-marathon for bipedal machines.