UBTECH's Walker S1 represents the latest evolution of the company's Walker platform, which has been in development since 2016. UBTECH, one of China's largest robotics companies, has deployed Walker robots in various settings including museums, exhibition halls, and research institutions.
The Walker S1 builds on UBTECH's extensive experience in bipedal locomotion, incorporating improvements in balance, dexterity, and autonomous navigation. The robot's human-like proportions and movements are designed for environments built for people, allowing it to navigate spaces that wheeled robots cannot access.
UBTECH's vertically integrated approach includes in-house development of actuators, sensors, and control systems. This gives the company control over key components that determine robot performance and cost. The Walker series serves both as commercial products and research platforms, with academic institutions using them for studies in locomotion, manipulation, and human-robot interaction.
The company's business model spans multiple market segments including education (with its smaller Yanshee and Alpha robots), entertainment, and commercial service. This diversification provides revenue and learning across different robotics applications while the humanoid technology matures toward broader deployment.