China debuts world's first humanoid robot that changes its own batteries

A demonstration video released on Thursday shows the robot walking to a charging station, removing a depleted battery from its chest, placing it in a charging dock, and inserting a fresh one before resuming its tasks, according to the South China Morning Post.

The Walker S2 is equipped with dual-battery power balancing technology and standardized battery modules, digital news outlet CnEVPost reported. The system allows the robot to automatically switch to a backup battery in case of a main battery failure, ensuring uninterrupted operation, Interesting Engineering reported.

Beyond battery swapping, the robot can decide whether to charge or swap batteries based on task urgency, enabling dynamic energy management and adapting to real-time operational demands.

The Shenzhen-based company said this innovation means the robot could theoretically operate around the clock without human intervention. The company described the next-generation Walker as a significant step forward in automation, offering continuous, hands-free performance on factory floors.

Walker robots have already been tested on production lines at factories operated by Chinese electric vehicle makers BYD, Nio, and Zeekr, CnEVPost reported.

Founded in March 2012, UBTech specializes in humanoid and intelligent service robots. In 2023, it became the first humanoid robot manufacturer to be listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Shenzhen, the company’s home city, has set ambitious targets to lead the global robotics industry with local authorities accelerating the adoption of robots across sectors.

On July 14, a fleet of autonomous robots was deployed to deliver goods to 7-Eleven stores in the city via the metro system, becoming the world’s first to use trains for such deliveries.