UBTECH ROBOTICS To Launch Walker S3 in 2H; Smart Mfg Firms Must Not Lag in Productivity Competition
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.UBTECH Robotics plans to launch the Walker S3 humanoid robot in the second half of 2026. Chief Brand Officer Michael Tam emphasized that smart manufacturing firms must prioritize securing a competitive position in next-generation productivity models over immediate ROI. The company is expanding consumer presence through experience stores at JD-SW locations and 4S dealerships, while strengthening industrial capabilities via partnerships with METAX for edge-side chip development.
UBTECH ROBOTICS (09880.HK) +0.850 (+1.044%) Short selling $28.30M; Ratio 18.887% Chief Brand Officer Michael Tam said that for smart manufacturing enterprises, ROI is not the top priority. What matters more is whether they can secure a favorable position in the competition for a brand-new next-generation productivity model. Even if they cannot lead, they absolutely cannot afford to fall behind.
The rise of humanoid robots, on one hand, helps artificial intelligence connect with the real world and move toward general AI; on the other hand, it creates a new form of cognitive productivity and builds the paradigm for next-generation smart manufacturing, he said. In the future, the entire manufacturing industry will face comprehensive upgrading and transformation, and the company has deeply felt the urgency of this trend when engaging with Global Fortune 500 enterprises.
When the company unveiled its ultra-bionic humanoid robot, it disclosed cooperation with JD-SW (09618.HK) +0.200 (+0.177%) Short selling $113.31M; Ratio 37.070% . For consumer-facing customers, the company hopes to allow users to experience products in a manner similar to exhibitions. Therefore, its store-opening plans will revolve around JD-SW and deployments at 4S dealerships. These 4S dealerships already have a large base of high-spending consumers, so the company's first batch of experience stores may initially appear in such locations. It is also seeking flagship store locations in the core business districts of major cities.
Tam revealed that UBTECH ROBOTICS' industrial humanoid robot Walker S series, after more than two years of accumulation and three iterations, will be upgraded to the S3 version in 2H26.
Tam said UBTECH ROBOTICS also deployed Fenglong smart manufacturing operations, including fifth-generation dexterous hands and robot joints, to enhance upstream and downstream integration capabilities. The company also established Xixuan Chuangzhi with METAX (688802.SH) +1.750 (+0.267%) to develop edge-side chips for robot bodies, with tape-out planned for next year and mass production targeted for the following year.
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