China has taken the use of humanoid robots to a whole new, far more practical level: UBTech Robotics has been awarded a 264 million yuan contract to deploy Walker S2 humanoids at the Fangchenggang border crossings in Guangxi. These robots will manage the flow of people, carry out inspections and carry part of the logistics load, introducing non-stop work at one of the most challenging points of the state’s infrastructure.
Walker S2 has independent battery replacement, so it does not need a break in operation, which makes it more cost-effective than human patrols in isolated and hard-to-reach areas. The concept of permanent border patrol is visually reminiscent of futuristic systems from video games and science fiction films, but it is a matter of concrete implementation – for now on the border with Vietnam, in a support role.
Walker S2 performs autonomous patrol and constant border surveillance
Humanoid robots in China’s border and customs services are nothing new. They are already used by airports and customs, and the growth in application has led to demand for software that enables the management of different fleets of robots, remote control and reporting on regulatory compliance. A key advantage of humanoids is the ability to perform planned maintenance with minimal human supervision, while being able to perform their work without interruption.
Walker S2 is 176 centimeters tall, weighs 70 kilograms and moves at a speed of up to 2 m/s. The joints are designed to faithfully imitate human movements, and the ambidextrous hands carry up to 7.5 kilograms. Built-in sensors, microphone and speakers enable two-way communication. The construction is made of aeronautical quality composite and aluminum, with 3D-printed parts of the housing.
The pilot program benefits UBTech: a massive increase in production and delivery of industrial humanoids is announced, along with a surge in online orders in 2025. States are increasingly considering robots for jobs with changing environmental conditions, especially where long shift work is a serious physical strain on humans.
Although for now they serve as support with the possibility of human intervention, the trend clearly shows that humanoid robots will take on more independent roles in surveillance and border security in the future.