South Korea's shrinking workforce opens factory doors to Chinese humanoid robots
South Korea's shrinking workforce opens factory doors to Chinese humanoid robots
Chinese humanoid robot makers including UBTech, AgiBot, Unitree, and Anyverse Dynamics are expanding into South Korea for industrial and hospitality applications. UBTech reports selling more than 10,000 units in South Korea since 2019, with tests at automotive component plants and a $25,000 U1 model adapted for local regulations. Chinese customs data cited by The Gadgeteer indicates South Korea was China's third-largest destination for intelligent bionic robot exports in January–September 2026, with shipments totaling $20 million. Anyverse Dynamics is testing cafe duties such as table tidying and drink delivery in partnership with Hollys, with trials planned for the fourth quarter.
Chinese manufacturers UBTech, AgiBot, Unitree, and Anyverse are pursuing commercial deployment in South Korea for factory automation and hospitality tasks, citing a shrinking local workforce; reported sales of over 10,000 units by UBTech and $20 million in exports to South Korea through September 2026 are attributed to The Gadgeteer.
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making automotive components, in collaboration with Duksan JM Robotics, its local partner, and Ajin Industrial, a parts manufacturer. UBTech's latest South Korean offering, the U1, is a lifelike humanoid that stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and costs about $25,000, The Gadgeteer reported. More background South Korea's established factories offer settings for testing robots on production tasks. For manufacturers and serv
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ntry's capacity to invest in automation. Shenzhen-based UBTech, which is listed in Hong Kong, began selling robots to South Korean buyers in 2019. The company said its sales there have exceeded 10,000 units, with dozens of businesses and public agencies buying them. On-site operational assessments in South Korea cover several UBTech models. The company's industrial efforts include tests of humanoids at a Korean plant
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ice businesses, the country's shrinking workforce provides another reason to explore automation. According to Chinese customs data, South Korea was China's third-biggest destination for intelligent bionic robot exports during January through September 2026. Shipments to the country totaled $20 million, representing a 9.7% share of the $207 million China exported globally in that category, according to The Gadgeteer.
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During that period, China sent 16,559 such robots abroad, reaching 108 countries and regions. Those figures encompass robot dogs as well as humanoids. What's being done? Beijing startup Anyverse Dynamics is turning its attention to everyday hospitality work through a partnership with Korean coffee chain Hollys. The robots' test duties include straightening seating, tidying tables, and delivering drinks. The company i
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making automotive components, in collaboration with Duksan JM Robotics, its local partner, and Ajin Industrial, a parts manufacturer. UBTech's latest South Korean offering, the U1, is a lifelike humanoid that stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and costs about $25,000, The Gadgeteer reported. More background South Korea's established factories offer settings for testing robots on production tasks. For manufacturers and serv
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Source：Robotics — Robot learning news discovery · msn.com