Latest news with #WalkerS2
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
China unveils world's first robot that runs on its own and swaps batteries by itself
Robotics firm UBTech, headquartered in Shenzhen, says its humanoid bot can autonomously complete battery replacement in under three minutes without shutting down, allowing it to operate continuously with minimal human intervention. The firm, the first humanoid robot maker to list on the Hong Kong stock exchange, said in an X video last week its Walker S2 robot supported battery swap, making it the first of its kind in the world. The video shows the robot walking over to a charging station, removing the battery from its back, inserting it into a charging dock, and installing a fresh one. Local media reports suggest the robot monitors its power levels and swaps batteries when needed. The humanoid bot is equipped with power-balancing technology and a battery designed to plug in like a USB stick. The company previously said it was collaborating with electric vehicle manufacturers like Nio and BYD to test and utilise its humanoid robots on production lines. In February, an earlier version of the robot, Walker S1, participated in AI event LEAP 25 in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating it could perform multi-task functions like handling and sorting parcels. The company, however, has not yet announced a target for large-scale production of Walker S2. Shenzhen is home to over 1,600 robotics companies, which promote the use of robotics across China's industries. China has risen to third on the list of countries using most robots in manufacturing, behind only South Korea and Singapore. According to a 2024 report, China uses 470 robots per 10,000 employees, far surpassing powerhouses like Germany and Japan with, respectively, 429 and 419. China has made significant strides in key robotics technologies such as motion control and high-performance servo drives
Digital Trends
18 hours ago
- Science
- Digital Trends
Self-charging robots pave way for never-ending revolt
If you've always been one to scoff at the idea of a robot uprising, then this story out of China might give you pause for thought. It's about what is apparently the first-ever humanoid robot that's able to change its own battery pack. Yes, you read that right — a humanoid robot that's able to realize when it's running low on juice, and then go through the process of swapping out its battery for a fully charged one. All by itself … without any human intervention. The robot, called Walker S2, is built by Shenzhen-based Ubtech, so we know who to blame if those bots do ever take over. Ubtech released a video (top) showing Walker S2 autonomously swapping out its battery, a process that will enable it to get back to work, whether that involves subjugating humans or hopefully something a little less alarming, like explaining meal times to newly arrived hotel guests. Walker S2, which has been in development since 2015, is 64 inches tall (162 cm), tips the scales at 94.8 pounds (64 kg), and runs on a 48-volt lithium battery. Each fully charged battery gives the robot enough power to walk for two hours or stand for four hours. When it puts a flat battery into the charger, it takes about 90 minutes for it to fully charge. Currently, Ubtech's humanoid robot is still in the research and development stage, though it's also being tested in a range of commercial and industrial settings, as well as in education for teaching about robotics and AI. The company's aim is to use its humanoid robot to enhance human capabilities and improve people's quality of life, particularly in areas like healthcare, education, and service industries, smoothly integrating it into human environments. The technology powering humanoid robots has been making rapid advancements in the last few years, with major developments in AI helping to make them smarter than ever. Tech companies in China, the U.S., and beyond are in a race to produce the most sophisticated robots that not only move in a human-like way, but think like a human, too, and clear progress is being made in terms of both physical movement and decision-making abilities. But a full-on takeover? Well, any chance of that still feels like a ways off.
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- News.com.au
China makes history by creating world's first 24/7 worker
The world's first 24/7 worker has arrived – and it takes no breaks, needs no pay rises or a wink of sleep. UBTech, one of China's leading humanoid robotics companies, has unveiled a world-first innovation with its Walker S2 – a tall, human-like robot that has just demonstrated the ability to swap its own battery in under three minutes. The robot stands at 162cm tall and weighs 43 kilograms – making it roughly the size of a small adult. Local Chinese media revealed that not only can it change its own battery but it is also capable of detecting how much power it has left and then deciding whether it's best to swap out its batteries based on the priorities of its tasks. In promotional footage posted online, the Walker S2 can be seen walking itself to a battery station, reaching behind its body and removing its previous battery, before installing a fresh one. The clip, which has amassed close to 100,000 views, left people divided. 'I can see my job flashing before my eyes,' wrote one viewer. 'We are so done,' wrote another. 'Scary. You never know when a robot might take your position and make you unemployed,' wrote a third. The white and black robot has a featureless, dark face panel and walks upright like a human – resembling something out of a sci-fi horror movie. However creepy, the display marks a massive milestone for the tech world and is the first step towards machines that could work around the clock without human intervention. The robot is designed to be deployed in settings like factories or as a human-like machine to greet customers in public venues. For now, the Walker S2 remains a showcase of what's possible. But in a future of offices, warehouses and factories filled with machines that never call in sick and don't have to be paid – it's not hard to imagine where they could take us.
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
Chinese Firm Unveils World's First Humanoid Robot Capable Of Changing Own Battery
A Chinese firm has launched a humanoid robot that can change its own battery, allowing it to run autonomously for 24 hours in seven days without human intervention. The world's first autonomous robot, Walker S2, has been developed by UBTECH Robotics. Watch the video here: The robot is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 95 pounds (43 kilograms), the company said in a video posted on YouTube. It has 20 joints or mechanisms that can move in different ways, allowing flexible movement. It is also compatible with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which enables seamless connectivity. The robot uses a 48-volt lithium battery in a dual-battery system, allowing it to walk for two hours or stand for four hours before needing a recharge. The battery takes around 90 minutes to fully recharge. The video, posted by the robotics firm, showed the robot working in an industrial setting. The reports have also mentioned that Walker S2 is designed for use in settings like factories or public venues, where it can interact with customers or perform tasks autonomously. The company, established in March 2012, is one of the leading humanoid robots and smart service robots companies. It was officially listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 29 December 2023. The company claims it has developed a full stack of humanoid robotic technologies independently to align its mission of "bringing intelligent robots into every family and making everyday life more convenient and intelligent". "We are also one of few companies in the world to accomplish mass production of small torque to large torque servo actuators. Our self-developed Walker is China's first commercialized biped life-sized humanoid robot," the company says.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
China launches world's first robot that can run by itself 24/7 — watch it change its own batteries in unsettling new footage
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There are many weird and wonderful humanoid robots out there, but one of the most eye-catching machines launched this year can change its own battery pack — making it capable of running autonomously for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Walker S2 robot, made by the Chinese company UBTECH, is 5 foot 3 inches (162 centimeters) tall and weighs 95 pounds (43 kilograms) — making it the size and weight of a small adult. Using a 48-volt lithium battery in a dual-battery system, the robot can walk for two hours or stand for four hours before its power runs out. The battery takes 90 minutes to fully recharge once depleted. Its most interesting feature — which UBTECH representatives say is a world first — is that instead of relying on a human operator to remove and recharge its battery pack, the machine can perform this task entirely on its own. In new promotional footage published July 17 on YouTube, the Walker S2 robot is seen approaching a battery charging station to swap out its battery supply. Facing away from the station, it uses its arms to remove the battery pack fitted into its back and places this into an empty slot to recharge. It then removes a fresh battery pack from the unit and inserts it into its port. RELATED STORIES —Watch humanlike robot with bionic muscles dangle as it twitches, shrugs and clenches its fists in creepy video —Watch humanoid robots waltzing seamlessly with humans thanks to AI motion tracking software upgrade —Intrepid baby-faced robot dons a jetpack for its next adventure — becoming the first humanoid robot to fly The robot will swap out its own battery in the event that one of its batteries runs out of power. It is also capable of detecting how much power it has left and decides whether it is best to swap out one of its batteries or charge based on the priority of its tasks, company representatives said, as reported by the Chinese publication CnEVPost. The Walker S2, which is designed to be used in settings like factories or as a human-like robot to meet and greet customers at public venues, has 20 degrees of freedom (the number of ways that joints or mechanisms can move) and is also compatible with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
