China's Dongfeng Motors deploys AI humanoid robot for assembly line

The humanoid robot is designed to perform a variety of tasks on the production line of a Chinese factory that builds commercial vehicles

A subsidiary of Dongfeng that makes commercial vehicles will use an AI-powered humanoid robot in its facilities.
The robot is called Walker S and is manufactured by the Chinese company Ubtech Technology.
Walker S will be able to perform complex inspection, assembly and logistics tasks.

Automakers have long relied on machinery to manage heavy loads in their manufacturing facilities. But as technology advances, devices are evolving into smarter and more complex forms.

A recent addition to this (somewhat alarming) trajectory is a humanoid robot developed in China. This robot is ready to handle delicate tasks such as inspection, assembly and logistics at one of Dongfeng’s automobile assembly plants.

More: Costly Union Contracts May Push Automakers Toward Robotic Workers

The industrial-scale humanoid robot will be provided by a Chinese company called Ubtech Technology, under an agreement with Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor. The latter, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motors, specializes in the production of commercial vehicles in China’s Guangxi region.

Ubtech’s robot is called Walker S. It is 1.7 m (5 feet and 7 inches) tall and has similar proportions to a human worker. At the automotive plant, her responsibilities will include various tasks such as inspecting seat belts, testing door locks, assessing bodywork quality, refilling oil and applying decals.

China's Dongfeng Motors deploys humanoid robot with AI for assembly line — Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor

Additionally, it will have the ability to operate alongside other automated machines to handle more complex unmanned manufacturing scenarios.

As reported by IThome, the humanoid robot is equipped with 41 high-performance servo joints and a host of advanced sensors including force perception, vision and hearing capabilities. These features enable him to monitor his surroundings and engage with both individuals and machines.

According to the Chinese company, the Walker S uses “advanced fusion control algorithms”, enabling it to communicate with the factory’s central system and transfer data to it in real time.

Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor / IThome

Lin Changbo, General Manager of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, pointed out that Ubtech’s humanoid robot will be integrated with the latest AI technology to operate within Liuzhou’s “smart” factory. Changbo added that the Walker S would undergo comprehensive training to provide “better solutions in the most complex inspection, assembly and logistics sites”.

At this point, it’s unclear how many examples of the Walker S will be used in production facilities and whether they will make any employees redundant. Other companies that have already deployed similar robots in car factories include Tesla and BMW, while we’ve also seen the emergence of specialized robot dogs designed for various tasks beyond automobile manufacturing.