UBTech and Foxconn Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Build iPhones with Robots

• UBTech and Foxconn have agreed to deploy Walker S1 humanoid robots in the iPhone production arena, with the primary goal being to automate some significantly hefty jobs and so make a sideway much more fruitful.
• The collaboration aims to enhance robot capabilities and reduce production costs, with a focus on expanding humanoid robot applications in smart manufacturing.

In an unusual turn of events for the future of production, one could see the future being a humanoid robot maker, UBTech, partnering with Apple’s production partner, Foxconn. The exclusive pact lays down the provision whereby UBTech’s Walker S1 humanoid robots will be connected to Foxconn production lines for iPhone manufacturing. This “comprehensive long-term partnership” will transform automation by using robots for complex and delicate tasks that require human intervention.

Broadening Robotic Competence through Multiple Industries

Machines are already learning to carry out several tasks in various sectors, spanning from automotive, computer, and consumer electronics across the manufacturing industries. For every different automotive grade, we have thousands of tasks that can be achieved, opened Michael Tam, UBTech chief brand officer. The 3C (comprising computers, communication, and consumer electronics) sector is another learning ground for new skills, he added, which humanoid robots are being taught.

The Walker S1: U BTech’s Flagship Humanoid Robot

The Walker S1 is UBTech’s newest flagship humanoid robot, unveiled in October 2024. The almost two meters tall (1.72 m), weighing 76 kg Walker S1 has a design specifically designed to imitate human forms. The human-like legs, schemes, neck instabilities, and design are quite obvious.

Since Foxtron will be training operations in Foxconn‘s subsidiary in the Longhua district of Shenzhen for sequential months, UBTech has already performed very specific training before launching this project. This training then leads them to the Walker S1 being dispatched to an electric car factory in Zhengzhou city, which is situated on Foxconn’s premises.

Revolutionising Manufacturing with Humanoid Robots

Under their partnership agreement, work will be done by UBTECH and Foxconn to explore the possibility of using humanoid robots in lifting, sorting, and some quality inspection class tasks. In particular, emphasis will be given to tasks related to physical conditions at work that may affect the health of humans through carrying or the carrying of heavy loads. 

Also, this will combine the experiences in motion, perception, and decision-making capacities of robots. Besides this, they will define a research laboratory for creative programs for researching applications and new technologies for humanoid models.

The Emergence of Robot Humanoids in China

UBTech, the company that has once again found itself in the limelight by entering the public market route for the year 2023, has been very proactive in disseminating the concept of humanoid robots within China manufacturing. Some of the key accounts are BYD, SF Express, the state-owned company, Dongfeng Motor, FAW-Volkswagen, and Geely. UBTech believes that its partnership with Foxconn will bring acceleration to the broader application of humanoids in smart manufacturing by leveraging Foxconn’s elaborate supply chain, which will help control and minimise production prices.

Yang Zhengye, Marketing Director of the Co-Built National and Local Shanghai Humanoid Robotics Innovation Centre, commented: The growth of humanoid robots in China is very fast due to the huge talent pool of the country, as well as its mature industrial chain and growing market expectations.

UBTech working with Foxconn is another important space for massive commercial production of humanoid robots, which the world is expected to change a good deal in manufacturing worldwide.