SHENZHEN, China – July 18, 2025 – UBTECH Robotics, a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics, has been awarded a major contract to supply its humanoid robots to MiYi (Shanghai) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. The project, valued at approximately 90.51 million RMB (USD 12.6 million), was announced through the China Public Procurement Bidding Platform.
This order represents the largest single procurement deal for a humanoid robot company to date, marking a significant milestone in the industry’s transition from R&D to large-scale commercial application.
Key Details of the Order:
- Product: UBTECH’s industrial humanoid robot, the Walker S series.
- Key Feature: Integrated autonomous battery-swapping capability, enabling continuous, uninterrupted operation in demanding industrial environments.
- Application: Deployment within smart manufacturing processes, showcasing the robot’s ability to perform complex tasks autonomously.
The Humanoid Robot Industry: Reaching a Commercial Tipping Point
The global humanoid robot market is at a pivotal moment, driven by technological advances and growing demand for automation.
- Rapid Market Growth: According to industry analysis, the global humanoid robot market was valued at approximately $2.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to surge to $32.4 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 57%.
- Technological Leaps: Robots are evolving from conditional autonomy to highly autonomous systems, capable of complex task handling, independent decision-making, and precise execution.
- Strong Policy Support: In 2023, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the “Guiding Opinions on the Innovation and Development of Humanoid Robots,” aiming to achieve world-leading capabilities by 2027.
- Expanding Applications: Beyond industrial manufacturing, humanoid robots are being rapidly adopted in logistics, education, and scientific research, with particularly strong demand in automotive production and new energy equipment assembly.
Addressing Industry Challenges:
While the potential is vast, the industry continues to work on overcoming key challenges. The cost of core components, such as reducers and servo motors, remains a significant factor. However, increasing localization of the supply chain and achieving economies of scale through large orders like this one are critical pathways to making humanoid robots more accessible and cost-effective.
Impact and Implications of the UBTECH Order
Short-Term Impact: Boosting Confidence and Accelerating Innovation
This record-breaking order serves as a powerful signal to the market, boosting investor and industry confidence in the commercial viability of humanoid robots. Furthermore, the deployment of Walker S robots with advanced features like autonomous charging will accelerate real-world testing and drive rapid technological iteration.
Long-Term Impact: Strengthening the Ecosystem and Global Competitiveness
- Optimized Industrial Ecosystem: Large-scale orders foster supply chain collaboration and drive up the localization rate of core components, ultimately reducing production costs for the entire industry.
- Enhanced Global Leadership: As a pioneer in the field, UBTECH’s successful contract cements its leading position in the global humanoid robotics race. This milestone is set to accelerate the international expansion of China’s robotics industry, positioning it as a key player in the worldwide automation landscape.
