Audi FAW NEV introduces UBITECH's humanoid robot in Changchun plant

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Audi FAW NEV Company has officially deployed the humanoid robot Walker S1, developed by UBITECH, at its advanced manufacturing base in Changchun, Jilin Province, according to UBITECH's recent announcement.

Photo credit: UBITECH

The robot is tasked with key quality inspection processes, including air conditioning leak detection, marking the first time a humanoid robot has been integrated into Audi's global production system.

Audi FAW NEV and UBITECH signed a memorandum of understanding in August 2023, incorporating humanoid robotics into Audi's smart manufacturing strategy. As a result, Walker S1 has become the first humanoid robot to be deployed on a luxury car production line worldwide. This initiative addresses a key industry challenge—air conditioning refrigerant leak detection, which traditionally relies on manual labor. While classified as low-risk, exposure to volatile gases poses potential respiratory hazards for workers.

Photo credit: UBITECH

Walker S1 revolutionizes conventional quality inspection processes with its customized end-effector and precision motion control technology. It achieves millimeter-level operational accuracy and a visual recognition speed of under 70 milliseconds.

Standing 172 cm tall and weighing 76 kg, the robot can carry up to 15 kg while maintaining stable movement. It excels in three core areas: adaptive motion control for navigating complex terrain, multimodal sensing for stable operations in harsh environments, and military-grade structural reliability for continuous 24/7 operation.

Beyond Audi, UBITECH's Walker S series has been adopted by leading manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, and Foxconn, with over 500 units in the order pipeline. At BYD's Shenzhen plant, Walker S1 improved sorting efficiency by 120%, while at Lynk & Co's Chengdu facility, its collaboration with autonomous forklifts reduced warehouse processing time by 40% and cut labor costs by 65%.