UBTech Walker (2018 and 2019)
Walker was UBTech's first full-size humanoid. The CES 2018 version had legs and a torso screen but no arms; the CES 2019 version added arms and hands with 36 degrees of freedom.
We have not sat down with this one. The score below is computed from the data we hold, and the facts on this page are sourced. It is not on sale, so there is nothing to recommend.
How the score is built
Capability is what the machine physically does. Value compares it with others at a similar price, not with the whole market. Buyability asks whether you can really order one. Ecosystem is the software and community around it. Proof is what it has done in the field, which is where most humanoids score badly and should.
- Status
- Retired
- Category
- historic
- First revealed
- January 2018
- Form
- bipedal
- Height
- 145 cm
- Weight
- 77 kg
- Payload
- n/a
- Degrees of freedom
- 36
- Battery
- n/a
- Runtime
- n/a
- Walking speed
- n/a
- Actuation
- electric servo joints
- Units deployed (est.)
- not disclosed
- Teleoperation
- unknown
Where it stands
Early demo generations shown at CES 2018 and CES 2019; replaced by Walker X in 2021.
What stands out
- Best of CES 2019 nominations
- Origin of the Walker S industrial line
Autonomy, observed
Stair climbing, door opening and object handover demos at CES 2019.
Hands, sensors, brain
- Hands: five-finger hands on 2019 version
Price and volume
Never sold.
Startups, automakers, universities: who builds humanoids
108 makers, nine kinds. Startups hold 37 of the 44 humanoids you can order. Automakers, universities, big tech, conglomerates and NASA hold 45 robots between them and sell none of them.
The uncanny valley, and why the newest humanoids have no face
Masahiro Mori warned in 1970 that a nearly human face repels. Of the 182 humanoids in our record, four describe one, and none of the four does physical work for a customer.
Other robots by UBTech Robotics.
Tien Kung Xingzhe
Tien Kung Xingzhe combines the lower body of X-Humanoid's Tiangong with UBTech's upper body for the scientific research market. It launched in March 2025 at a list price of about CNY 299,000.
UBTech Alpha series
The Alpha series of 40 cm hobby humanoids built UBTech's early business and funded its later full-size Walker program. Alpha 1S robots performed on the 2016 Spring Festival Gala.
UBTech Walker C
Walker C is a UBTech humanoid aimed at commercial service settings such as reception and exhibitions rather than factories.
UBTech Walker S
Walker S was the first industrial version of the Walker line, unveiled on UBTech's Hong Kong listing day in December 2023. It was the first Chinese humanoid to enter a car factory training program (NIO, February 2024).
UBTech Walker S1
Walker S1 is the 2024 industrial humanoid that UBTech placed in several Chinese car and electronics plants. It is 172 cm tall, carries up to 15 kg and works with AMRs for material handling.
UBTech Walker S2
Walker S2 is UBTech's 2025 industrial humanoid and the first to swap its own battery, allowing round-the-clock operation. It has 52 degrees of freedom and is the product behind UBTech's large 2025 order announcements.
UBTech Walker X
Walker X was UBTech's 2021 service humanoid with 41 degrees of freedom and a 3 km/h walking speed. It served as a guide robot at the China pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Sources
- 01
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