Humanoid robots may soon handle parts in Volkswagen workshops, as FAW-Volkswagen and UBTech test their capabilities in Chinese factories.
Humanoid robots in Volkswagen workshops
Humanoid robots could soon be used to move parts in Volkswagen workshops, according to a report from the agency Gasgoo published on October 8, 2026. The report mentions that Volkswagen and the Chinese manufacturer UBTech have signed a strategic partnership to develop this technology.Joint venture with production sites
The joint venture between Volkswagen and UBTech, known as FAW-Volkswagen, operates five production sites in China. A company of this size typically does not rely on machines that are still in testing phases for critical logistics tasks.Testing robots in factory settings
The two partners must first develop and test humanoid robots in the factory before setting up demonstrations. These demonstrations are an extension of work that began in July 2024, when the Walker S Lite, a humanoid robot from UBTech, was used to inspect car assembly at the Qingdao site.Robots detecting and communicating defects
The Walker S Lite was able to communicate with the factory's control system, allowing it to signal defects it detected on its own. This capability marked an important step in integrating robots into the production process.Industrial robot handling physical tasks
A second model, the Walker S industrial, was used for more physically demanding tasks such as tightening bolts and placing components. These tasks were still supervised and repetitive, with the robot knowing where to find and place objects.Challenges in workshop logistics
Workshop logistics, however, involve an environment that is much less predictable than the controlled workstations where the robots have been tested. This unpredictability presents a challenge for the full integration of humanoid robots into factory settings.
