China’s UBTech Robotics Bags $37 Million Contract to Deploy Humanoid Robots at China–Vietnam Border

China’s leading humanoid-robot maker, UBTech Robotics, has just secured a significant contract — worth 264 million yuan (about US$37 million) — to deploy its advanced humanoid robots at border crossings in the city of Fangchenggang, a coastal city in Guangxi province that shares a border with Vietnam. 

The announcement marks one of the largest real-world rollouts of humanoid robots in China’s history — and signals growing confidence in robots moving beyond research labs into public service, border control, logistics and industrial tasks. 

What the Deal Entails: Robots at Borders

The contract centers on deployment of UBTech’s Walker S2 — a newly launched industrial-grade humanoid robot that the company says is “capable of autonomously replacing its own battery,” enabling near-continuous, 24/7 operation. 

Starting December 2025, Walker S2 units will be stationed at border checkpoints to: guide travellers, manage the flow of people, assist with inspections and patrols, handle logistics and commercial services, and conduct inspections at nearby manufacturing sites (especially in steel, copper and aluminium industries). 

The rollout is part of a pilot programme — with potential expansion if successful — and represents a major push by Chinese authorities to integrate robotics and embodied-AI systems into public and industrial infrastructure. 

UBTech’s Broader Strategy & Momentum

This contract is not a one-off. The Walker series has already racked up large demand. According to UBTech: 

Since the shipment of Walker S series began this month, cumulative orders exceed 1.1 billion yuan. 

The company targets delivery of 500 industrial humanoid robots by end of this year, with ambitions to scale production to 10,000 units annually by 2027. 

In the first half of 2025, UBTech reported a 27.5% year-on-year revenue growth, showing rising commercial traction for humanoid and robotics solutions. 

Also, UBTech recently secured a financing line of up to US$1 billion from investment firm Infini Capital — a clear sign that investors are betting on a large-scale robotics future. 

What This Means — Broader Implications

Robots Move from Labs to Real World

For years, humanoid robots have been showcased as futuristic prototypes. This deal shows they are edging into real-world public service and industrial applications: border control, logistics, inspection — tasks traditionally done by humans.

Industrial & Government Adoption Rising

With Walker S2 being deployed at border posts and UBTech targeting factories (steel, copper, aluminium), the line between industrial robots and public-service robots blurs — signalling a major shift in how governments and industries approach labour, security, and automation.

Continuous Operation & Scalability

Thanks to the Walker S2’s battery-swapping feature, UBTech aims for round-the-clock operations without human intervention — a significant advance over earlier robots that needed downtime. If deployment goes well, this could set a standard for future humanoid-robot applications globally.

Attracting Global Investor Confidence

The $1 billion credit line from Infini Capital, along with surging orders and government contracts, reflects growing investor and institutional confidence in robotics. This could trigger a wave of automation investments beyond China — especially in regions exploring mechanised border control, logistics, and public-sector applications.

Challenges to Watch

Public acceptance: Deploying humanoid robots at border crossings — interacting with travellers and performing inspections — may raise questions about privacy, decision-making, and human oversight.

Reliability & Maintenance: Continuous battery swapping and high-frequency use demand robust maintenance and consistent reliability. Any failures in dense environments (border posts or factories) could undermine trust in robotics.

Regulation & Oversight: As robots move into public domains, issues of regulation, accountability, and safety become critical. Governments will need clear policies if humanoids become widespread.

Cost vs Benefit: While upfront deployments are costly, long-term cost savings and efficiency gains must justify the investment — especially if scaled globally.

What’s Next

In the coming months:

Watch for initial feedback from the border deployment — how effective are the Walker S2 robots in guiding travellers, handling logistics, and performing inspections in a real-world, high-traffic environment.

Monitor production ramp-up — can UBTech realistically hit its target of 10,000 humanoids per year by 2027, and what impact will that have on labour markets and industries?

Observe global expansion efforts — UBTech’s financing and growth indicate potential deals outside China, especially in regions looking to automate infrastructure or manufacturing.

Evaluate regulatory frameworks — as humanoid robots become more common, governments and industries will need laws, guidelines, and oversight mechanisms to manage their use ethically and safely.

Conclusion

UBTech’s $37 million contract to deploy Walker S2 humanoid robots at China–Vietnam border crossings is a milestone — not just for the company, but for the robotics industry at large. It signals a shift: humanoid robots are no longer futuristic curiosities confined to labs, but tangible tools being integrated into real-world tasks like border control, logistics, and inspection.

If deployments succeed and UBTech meets its ambitious production targets, we may be witnessing the early stages of a robotics transformation — one where robots walk, work, and serve alongside humans in everyday infrastructure. For industries, governments, and societies worldwide, that shift could reshape labour, security, and automation for decades.