UBTech to deepen roots in factories

A UBTech humanoid robot demonstrates its capabilities on a model of a factory assembly line, at the World Robot Conference in Beijing. FLORENCE LO/REUTERS

UBTech Robotics is confident that its humanoid robots will achieve widespread factory applications within three years, a top executive of the Chinese artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics company said on Friday.


Jiao Jichao, vice-president and executive dean of its research institute, said the company aims to deliver humanoid robots in small quantities to industries, especially automobile factories, for handling and sorting tasks, by the end of this year.


From next year to 2027, such humanoid robots will be gradually used for assembly tasks and on-site operations. Besides the automotive industry, the company will use such robots in 3C, or computer, communication and consumer electronics, as well as the logistics sectors.


"During this period, we aim to achieve larger-scale commercial mass production. Here, mass production not only involves a quantity increase but also improvements in quality, cost control and operational efficiency," he said.


By 2033, the company's humanoid robots are expected to perform more precise assembly work, such as assembling interiors and wiring harnesses, as well as assemble smaller and more delicate products like smartphones and smartwatches in the 3C industries, he added.


The comments came as UBTech officially signed a cooperation agreement with Audi FAW and Beijing Embodied Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center to jointly develop intelligent solutions for humanoid robots, at the ongoing 2024 World Robot Conference, which runs till Sunday in Beijing.


The cooperation will drive humanoid robots into automotive production lines for intelligent material handling, quality inspection and process material operations. This is expected to promote large-scale deployment of humanoid robots in car factories.


According to a guideline from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China aims to establish a preliminary innovation system for humanoid robots by 2025. By 2027, the country will see a secure and reliable industrial and supply chain system, and related products will be deeply integrated into the real economy.


"Currently, new technologies, products and formats represented by humanoid robots and general artificial intelligence are thriving and becoming the pinnacle of global technological innovation, a new track for future industries and a new engine for economic growth," said Xu Xiaolan, former vice-minister of industry and information technology and a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.


"Humanoid robots are expected to become another disruptive product after computers, smartphones and new energy vehicles," she said.