The idea of humanoid robots assembling aircraft might sound like something pulled from science fiction, but a new partnership suggests it could soon become part of everyday industrial reality. European aerospace giant Airbus has entered into an agreement with Chinese robotics company UBTech, signaling growing interest in deploying humanoid robots within aircraft manufacturing environments.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the collaboration centers around UBTech’s Walker S2 humanoid robot. While Airbus has not released detailed technical plans, the company appears keen on exploring how humanoid robots could support human workers on production lines, particularly in complex assembly tasks involved in building commercial aircraft.
Unlike traditional industrial robots that are fixed in place and designed for a single repetitive task, humanoid robots are built to move and operate more like humans. That flexibility is a key reason Airbus is paying attention. Manufacturing aircraft involves thousands of small, precise steps carried out in environments originally designed for people, not machines. A humanoid form factor allows robots to function in those spaces without expensive factory redesigns.
UBTech first introduced the Walker S2 in 2024, positioning it as a next generation industrial humanoid. The robot stands roughly 176 centimeters tall and is equipped with advanced AI driven voice interaction through integrated microphones and speakers. Its hands are particularly notable, offering 11 degrees of freedom, which allows for delicate and precise movements that are difficult for conventional robots to replicate.
One of the Walker S2’s most distinctive features is its ability to autonomously replace its own battery. This capability opens the door for near continuous operation, making it well suited for demanding industrial environments where downtime can be costly. For manufacturers like Airbus, that kind of reliability could translate into improved efficiency across production workflows.
Robots have been a fixture in manufacturing for decades, especially in automotive plants. However, those machines are usually designed for narrowly defined tasks such as welding or painting. Humanoid robots represent a different approach. Their value lies in adaptability, allowing them to switch between tasks with minimal reprogramming and collaborate more naturally with human teams.
Airbus appears to be testing whether this adaptability can help address ongoing challenges in aerospace manufacturing. Aircraft production requires extreme precision, strict safety standards, and the ability to handle a wide variety of tools and components. Humanoid robots, in theory, could assist with inspections, component handling, and repetitive tasks that place strain on human workers.
Despite rapid progress in robotics and artificial intelligence, questions remain about how ready humanoid robots are for real world industrial deployment. Complex factory settings present unpredictable variables, from tight spaces to constantly changing tasks. Airbus’s interest suggests confidence that recent advances have brought humanoid robots closer to being practically useful rather than experimental.
UBTech’s ambitions extend well beyond this single partnership. The Shenzhen based company, founded in 2012, has seen significant commercial traction in recent years. In 2025, UBTech reportedly secured around $200 million in orders from a range of customers. The company has also announced plans to manufacture up to 10,000 units of the Walker S2 in 2026, reflecting strong expectations for demand.
The Airbus collaboration follows another notable agreement UBTech signed with Texas Instruments, highlighting its push into global industrial markets. As competition intensifies in the humanoid robotics sector, partnerships with established manufacturers provide both validation and real world testing opportunities.
Airbus has indicated that it will share more information once its internal evaluations progress further. Until then, the partnership serves as a clear signal that aerospace manufacturers are actively exploring how advanced robotics and artificial intelligence can reshape production processes. If successful, humanoid robots could become a common sight on factory floors that once relied exclusively on human labor.
The Walker S2 has already demonstrated its capabilities outside of industrial settings as well. In a recent public demonstration covered by Digital Trends, the robot was shown playing tennis with a human partner, highlighting its balance, coordination, and responsiveness. These demonstrations may appear playful, but they underscore the technological foundations required for more serious applications.
As aerospace manufacturing faces growing pressure to increase output while maintaining strict quality standards, interest in flexible automation solutions is likely to accelerate. Airbus’s move suggests that humanoid robots may soon transition from experimental showcases to practical tools within some of the world’s most demanding production environments.
