UBTech and FAW-Volkswagen agree strategic partnership on humanoid robots in logistics
In short
Robot maker UBTech announced on October 8 a strategic cooperation with FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co. The two companies will jointly develop and test applications for embodied-intelligence robots in logistics and build demonstration scenarios, to speed up the use of humanoid robots in smart manufacturing.
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UBTech announced on October 8 that it had reached a strategic cooperation agreement with FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., according to reports by Yicai, IT Home and Jiemian. The two companies will jointly develop and test applications for embodied-intelligence robots in logistics and build demonstration scenarios, with the aim of speeding up the deployment of humanoid robots in smart manufacturing, Jiemian and IT Home reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
IT Home reported that UBTech's Walker S Lite robot had previously entered FAW-Volkswagen's Qingdao branch, a national-level smart manufacturing demonstration factory, for vehicle quality-inspection training, and had been integrated with the plant's automation control system. IT Home described the new cooperation as an extension of that work into logistics. [ 2 ]
According to IT Home, UBTech has built four core technology clusters for industrial use of humanoid robots: an embodied brain, a humanoid cerebellum, high-performance robot bodies and swarm intelligence. The outlet said the company has developed its own technology stack of foundation, world and action models. [ 2 ]
On production, IT Home reported that UBTech's industrial humanoid robot factory in Liuzhou began operating on September 12, 2026. Citing the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region government portal, it said the factory covers 14,000 square meters, produces the Walker S and Cruzr series, turns out one robot every 10 minutes and has planned annual capacity of more than 10,000 units. [ 2 ]
IT Home also cited UBTech's 2025 annual results: total revenue of 2.001 billion yuan, up 53.3% year on year, and 820 million yuan of revenue from full-size humanoid robots, with 1,079 units sold. The outlet noted that by total global shipments, an IDC report put 2025 humanoid robot shipments at close to 18,000 units, with Unitree among the leaders at more than 5,500 units. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
According to IT Home, the deal extends earlier work in which UBTech's Walker S Lite robot carried out vehicle quality-inspection training at FAW-Volkswagen's Qingdao plant, so the partnership moves the robots from inspection into logistics. Business and tech outlets covered it as another automaker adopting UBTech humanoid robots in factory settings.
Key facts
- UBTech and FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co. have reached a strategic cooperation agreement, announced on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The companies will jointly develop and test applications for embodied-intelligence robots in logistics and build demonstration scenarios. [ 2 , 3 ]
- IT Home reported that UBTech's Walker S Lite had already been doing vehicle quality-inspection training at FAW-Volkswagen's Qingdao branch plant. [ 2 ]
- UBTech's industrial humanoid robot factory in Liuzhou began production on September 12, 2026, with planned annual capacity of more than 10,000 units, IT Home reported. [ 2 ]
- UBTech reported 2025 revenue of 2.001 billion yuan, up 53.3% year on year, according to its annual results as cited by IT Home. [ 2 ]
- IT Home cited an IDC report saying global humanoid robot shipments approached 18,000 units in 2025, with Unitree shipping more than 5,500. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Financial terms, duration and the specific sites covered by the cooperation. None of the documents give these details.
- Whether the logistics work will take place at the Qingdao plant where Walker S Lite was already in use. IT Home describes the deal as an extension of the Qingdao work but does not say where the logistics testing will happen.
- UBTech's position as the world's top humanoid robot company. IT Home reports UBTech's revenue ranking but also cites an IDC report placing Unitree among the leaders by total shipments.