Humanoid Robots Target the Hard-to-Automate Jobs in China’s Auto Plants

Chinese automakers are trialling human-shaped robots for flexible factory tasks, while conventional machines continue to handle much of the repetitive work.

Source: PakWheels Blog2026-09-281 min read

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China’s car factories already rely heavily on industrial automation. The article cites International Federation of Robotics figures showing around 354,000 industrial robots installed in China in 2025—nearly 59% of global installations—and an operational fleet exceeding two million. Welding, painting, stamping and moving parts are among the jobs conventional systems already perform at scale.

Humanoid robots are being explored for tasks that are harder to standardise, such as handling flexible components or working with tools and stations designed for people. Xiaomi has tested robots on small assembly and logistics jobs; it reported that performance on one two-sided manipulation task rose from 90.2% to 98%.

Other trials include BYD working with UBTECH’s Walker S1 on logistics and material handling, Nio testing humanoids for vehicle inspections, and Geely-related facilities exploring charging-connector and materials-handling work. The article notes that dependable operation at production-line speed remains a major hurdle.

This is an original summary compiled and translated from the source below, not a direct translation of it.

Source: PakWheels Blog →How we compile the news →

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