China to Deploy Humanoid Robots for Crowd Control in Major Border Trial

Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics has secured a landmark contract to test its advanced humanoid robots in managing crowds and logistics at Chinese border crossings, marking one of the most ambitious real-world applications of the technology to date.

The company announced Tuesday that it struck a $37-million deal with a humanoid robotics testing centre located near China’s border with Vietnam. The pilot project will primarily utilize the latest iteration of UBTech’s flagship “Walker” robot, a bipedal machine known for its dexterity and balance.

Beyond Novelty: Practical Applications in a Critical Environment

While robots are common in manufacturing, their deployment in dynamic, public-facing roles like border control represents a significant step forward. According to UBTech, the Walker robots will be tasked with:

• Guiding Travellers: Providing directions and basic information to passengers.

• Crowd Management: Monitoring and potentially directing the flow of people in busy transit areas.

• Logistics Handling: Assisting with the movement of cargo or luggage.

• Security Patrols: Conducting surveillance in restricted zones, such as customs areas or adjacent factories.

A key feature of these robots is their ability to autonomously swap their own batteries, enabling near-continuous operation. UBTech did not specify, however, whether the robots would be powered by onboard artificial intelligence for decision-making or operated remotely by human handlers—a crucial distinction for assessing their true autonomy. The company plans to begin deliveries to the testing centre in December.

A National Strategy for Robotic Dominance

This trial is a direct manifestation of the Chinese government’s concerted push to become the global leader in robotics. By fostering domestic innovation, Beijing aims to capture a leading share of a market projected to be worth tens of billions of dollars. An April report by the consulting firm Leaderobot forecasted that China’s humanoid robotics industry will reach 82 billion yuan ($11.6 billion) in 2025, accounting for half of all global sales.

Recent milestones underscore the rapid pace of development in the sector:

• A robot from Shanghai’s AgiBot set a Guinness World Record by walking 100 kilometres over three days.

• In August, Beijing hosted the “World Humanoid Robot Developer Conference,” where over 500 robots competed in events likened to an “Olympics” for androids, featuring tasks from basketball to competitive cleaning.

Bridging the Gap Between Hype and Reality

Despite these technological showcases and significant government backing, the path to widespread commercial adoption remains challenging. Large-scale, economically viable use cases outside of controlled demonstrations are still elusive.

This gap has led to concerns about overinvestment. Global investment bank Goldman Sachs recently warned that the humanoid robotics sector risks a significant overcapacity problem, as production scales up rapidly without a corresponding stream of firm commercial orders.

In response to such concerns, UBTech has been keen to highlight its commercial traction. The company stated that its Walker series has generated 1.1 billion yuan in sales so far this year. “The orders we have received far exceed the announced number,” UBTech executive Tan Min told local media this month, suggesting that market demand is robust enough to absorb the growing production capacity.

The upcoming border crossing trial will be a critical test, not just for UBTech, but for the entire humanoid robotics industry. Its success or failure will provide invaluable data on whether these complex machines can reliably perform in the unpredictable and demanding environment of an international border, moving from trade show floors to the front lines of public service.

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