UBTECH to test humanoid robots in FAW-Volkswagen logistics
The October 8 deal names no robot model, plant, robot count or price, and builds on a 2024 quality-inspection trial in Qingdao.
Updated
In short
- 01UBTECH and FAW-Volkswagen will develop and test humanoid robots for factory logistics and build demonstration projects, UBTECH said.
- 02UBTECH's Walker S Lite was already training on vehicle quality checks at FAW-Volkswagen's Qingdao plant when the plant signed with UBTECH in August 2024.
- 03Research firm Omdia ranked UBTECH third in 2025 humanoid shipments, behind AgiBot and Unitree, though UBTECH claims to lead in humanoid sales.
The story
UBTECH Robotics said on October 8, 2026, that it will develop and test humanoid robots for factory logistics with FAW-Volkswagen. UBTECH's statement says the two will also build demonstration projects. It names no robot model, plant, robot count or deal value.
FAW-Volkswagen is the joint venture that builds Volkswagen, Audi and Jetta cars in China, at five production bases. Its Qingdao branch first signed with UBTECH on August 13, 2024, Securities Times reported at the time.
The deal takes UBTECH from quality checks to logistics
Back then, a Walker S Lite robot was already training on car quality checks at the Qingdao plant. UBTECH's industry page says the robot linked straight into the plant's control system.
The same page lists similar trials with BYD, NIO, Geely's Zeekr brand and Dongfeng Liuzhou, among others. UBTECH describes these as training. BYD is now building its own humanoid, as BYD patent reveals its first humanoid robot design reported.
Airbus took a more cautious line on its own UBTECH deal in January. It said the work was at an "early concept-testing stage," Reuters reported. In the same report, UBTECH said its 2025 humanoid orders topped 1.4 billion yuan.
Outside counts rank UBTECH third in humanoid shipments
UBTECH's statement repeats its claim to rank first in the world in humanoid revenue and units sold. It bases that ranking on rivals' published financial statements. For full-size robots, it counts only those at least 160 centimeters tall that aren't remote-controlled or toys.
Outside counts look different. Research firm Omdia ranked AgiBot first in 2025 humanoid shipments, the South China Morning Post reported. Forbes's copy of Omdia's list puts UBTECH third with about 1,000 robots, behind AgiBot's 5,168 and Unitree's 4,200.
UBTECH says a plant built for 10,000 robots a year is now running. It expects several product lines to start full output and deliveries in the second half of 2026. Neither company has said when or where robots will start work for FAW-Volkswagen.
Why it matters
Carmakers most often test humanoids on moving parts and boxes, since the work repeats and plants are built for people. A partner as big as FAW-Volkswagen gives UBTECH real lines to learn on. With no robot count or price, it's still a trial, and UBTECH's real test is turning trials like this into large orders.
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