Chinese authorities are vigorously advancing initiatives focused on integrating autonomous robots across various sectors of life. A recent illustration of this is a 264 million yuan contract secured by UBTech Robotics for the supply of human-like Walker S2 robots. These androids are slated for deployment at border checkpoints situated in Guangxi province, neighboring Vietnam.
What the Border Guard Robots Will Do
As part of the initial rollout of this program, the robots are assigned a broad spectrum of responsibilities. They are expected to assist travelers with navigation within the border facilities, aid in personnel allocation, streamline logistical operations, and even offer support to human officers during border patrols.
Beyond border crossings, similar robotic units are anticipated to appear in airports, government buildings, and at large public gatherings. In fact, a test model is already operational at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, where the robot functions at an information desk, addressing passenger inquiries.
Furthermore, police forces in China have begun utilizing robots for street patrols in cities such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Chengdu.
Humanoid robots will also find roles in industrial settings; it has been confirmed that the Walker S2 units will assist with quality assurance inspections at metallurgical facilities.
Introducing the Walker S2 from UBTech Robotics
The “industrial-grade” Walker S2 robot model was unveiled in July 2025. A pivotal feature of this model is its capacity for self-sufficient battery swapping. According to the manufacturer, this procedure takes roughly three minutes to complete. Consequently, the android can operate continuously, virtually without interruption or the need for human intervention.
In physical design, it resembles a human, standing approximately 176 cm tall. Its arms possess 11 degrees of freedom, allowing movements with sub-millimeter precision. This enables the robot to perform tasks demanding fine motor skills, such as grasping tiny components or assembling intricate devices. Additionally, it has the lifting capacity to handle loads up to 15 kg to a height of 180 cm.
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For spatial awareness, the robot is equipped with a binocular color video system mimicking human vision, alongside advanced algorithms facilitating stable movement at speeds up to 7.2 km/h, even across challenging terrain such as industrial sites. Decision-making and data processing are managed through a combination of UBTech Robotics’ proprietary BrainNet 2.0 and Co-Agent AI technologies.
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