Autonomous Chinese Robot Debuts: A New Machine Capable of Independent Operation and Self-Battery Swapping
UBTech's Walker S2 Humanoid Robot Revolutionises Industrial Automation with World-First Autonomous Battery-Swapping Capability
UBTech, a Chinese technology company, has made a groundbreaking advancement in humanoid robotics with the unveiling of the Walker S2. This robot is the first of its kind to support autonomous battery swapping, enabling it to operate continuously 24/7 without human intervention [1][2][4].
The Walker S2, standing at 5 foot 3 inches (162 cm) tall and weighing 95 pounds (43 kg), embodies a major breakthrough in the field. It can independently remove its depleted battery and replace it with a fully charged one in about three minutes, without shutting down [1][2][4].
Key advancements of the Walker S2 include a dual-battery system, autonomous battery swapping, standardized battery modules, dynamic energy management, and industrial deployment [1][2]. The robot utilizes a 48-volt lithium dual-battery system that allows walking for two hours or standing for four hours per charge. It can seamlessly switch to a backup battery to maintain uninterrupted operation [1][2].
The autonomous battery swapping process is a marvel of engineering. The robot approaches a battery charging station, removes its depleted battery pack from its back, deposits it in the charger, then retrieves a fresh one and inserts it automatically [1][2][4]. The battery packs are standardized for easy swapping and fast recharging (90 minutes full recharge) [1][2].
Walker S2's dynamic energy management system allows it to autonomously decide whether to swap its battery or recharge it based on task priority, optimising its operational efficiency [2].
UBTech has deployed the Walker S2 in factories, including partnerships with automakers like Nio, BYD, and Zeekr, integrating humanoid robots into production lines [2]. The company showcased at the World Robot Conference 2025 that Walker S2 is part of a humanoid robot family capable of coordinated multi-robot industrial operations, emphasising advanced AI and swarm intelligence technologies [3].
China has a strong technology ecosystem for automation, with China ranking third in the world for using robots in manufacturing, behind South Korea and Singapore. China uses 470 robots per 10,000 employees, surpassing industrial powerhouses like Germany and Japan [6]. China holds over two-thirds of the world's robot-related patents, totalling 190,000, and is home to over 1,600 robotics companies [7].
UBTech's Walker S2 stands out for pioneering a fully autonomous battery-swapping system in a humanoid robot, enabling near-constant work cycles in industrial environments with minimal human assistance [1][2][5].
[1] UBTech. (2025). UBTech's Walker S2 Humanoid Robot Revolutionises Industrial Automation with World-First Autonomous Battery-Swapping Capability. Retrieved from https://www.ubtechrobot.com/news/walker-s2-autonomous-battery-swapping
[2] Batteries News. (2025). UBTech's Walker S2: The World's First Humanoid Robot with Autonomous Battery-Swapping Capability. Retrieved from https://www.batteriesnews.com/news/ubtech-walker-s2-autonomous-battery-swapping
[3] World Robot Conference. (2025). UBTech Showcases Swarm Intelligence and Multi-task Capabilities of Walker S2. Retrieved from https://www.worldrobotconference.com/news/ubtech-swarm-intelligence-multi-task-capabilities-walker-s2
[4] IEEE Spectrum. (2025). UBTech's Walker S2 Humanoid Robot Swaps Batteries Autonomously. Retrieved from https://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/humanoids/ubtechs-walker-s2-humanoid-robot-swaps-batteries-autonomously
[5] Forbes. (2025). UBTech's Walker S2: The Future of Industrial Automation. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesbridle/2025/06/01/ubtechs-walker-s2-the-future-of-industrial-automation/
[6] International Federation of Robotics. (2025). Robot Density Statistics by Country. Retrieved from https://www.ifr.org/statistics/robots-per-10000-employees/
[7] World Intellectual Property Organization. (2025). Robotics Patent Statistics by Country. Retrieved from https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/en/wipo_pub_913/wipo_pub_913.pdf
The Walker S2, a groundbreaking humanoid robot developed by UBTech, showcases advanced artificial-intelligence capabilities as it autonomously swaps its batteries, revolutionizing industrial automation with technology that allows it to work continuously for extended periods. This development underscores UBTech's commitment to integrating gadgets like the Walker S2 into industrial settings, contributing to China's strong technology ecosystem in automation.
