3 min read
European aviation giant Airbus is turning to China to automate its assembly lines. In a move that signals a shift in global manufacturing, Airbus has purchased “Walker S2” humanoid robots from Shenzhen-based developer UBTech Robotics.
The deal marks a significant milestone for Chinese industrial robotics. While Western companies often focus on prototypes, China’s “unicorn” companies are aggressively expanding into real-world production environments.
The Walker S2: Built for the Factory Floor
Airbus isn’t just buying a science experiment… they are buying a labourer. The Walker S2 is designed specifically for industrial use. Standing 5 feet 9 inches (176 cm) tall and weighing 154 lbs (70 kg), this robot is physically imposing.
It moves at a speed of 4.5 mph (2 meters/second) and features highly dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom. It can hold 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) in each hand. Crucially, the robot’s waist pivots almost 180 degrees. This allows it to work on different parts without shifting its feet, a massive advantage in tight assembly spaces.
Here are the key technical specs of the robot:
- Vision: Uses a “Co Agent” AI system to recognise objects and coordinate movements.
- Power: Features an autonomous battery-swapping system for 24/7 operation.
- Safety: Equipped with an external emergency stop button on its back.
This battery-swapping capability, a first for humanoid robots as of late 2025, allows the Walker S2 to work nonstop without long charging breaks.
China Leads the “Space Race” of Our Time
This partnership highlights the growing dominance of Chinese robotics. UBTech has already shipped approximately 1,000 units, placing it third globally in shipments behind Agibot and Unitree. It sits ahead of major Western players like Tesla, Figure AI, and Boston Dynamics.
The numbers back up the hype. UBTech received orders totalling 1.4 billion yuan ($201 million) last year alone. Based on sales data, the estimated price tag for a Walker S2 sits around $112,000, though this figure will likely drop as production scales.
Investors are noticing. Following the announcement, UBTech shares jumped 6.76% in Hong Kong trading yesterday. The company targets a production capacity of 5,000 units this year and aims for 10,000 by 2027.
What Comes Next for Airbus?
Airbus will work with UBTech to validate these robots in high-precision, safety-critical tasks. This follows similar deployments by UBTech with US chipmaker Texas Instruments, carmaker BYD, and Foxconn.
Bank of America estimates that mass adoption of humanoid robots will begin in 2028. As Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas puts it, this development is the “space race of our time”. Right now, China appears to be halfway to the moon while the rest of the world plays catch-up.
