China unveils first-ever robot that can operate indefinitely without human help
China has unveiled the world’s first humanoid robot capable of changing its own batteries without human assistance.
From robot football matches to AI-powered graduation ceremonies, 2025 has been a landmark year for robotics in China. Across the country, humanoid machines are being tested in public, industrial, and educational settings, with many going viral in the process.
Now, China has taken things a step further with a breakthrough that could redefine how robots operate long-term. On July 18, 2025, Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics unveiled the Walker S2, the world’s first humanoid robot capable of changing its own battery.
This robot can change its own battery
Developed by Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics, the Walker S2 was officially revealed on July 18, 2025. As shown in a demonstration reported by the South China Morning Post, the robot can be seen walking to a charging station, removing its depleted battery pack, and replacing it with a fresh one, all autonomously and in under three minutes.
As for how this is achieved, the Walker S2 uses a dual-battery “hot-swapping” system, which allows it to continuously go about its day without feeling drowzy. (If only there were a human equivalent, without drinking deadly amounts of coffee or Red Bull.)
It’s hoped that the Walker S2 will eliminate the need for manual recharging and reduce downtime in industrial settings. This is all very exciting stuff and mirrors other AI projects across Asia.
In Japan, convenience store giant Lawson recently launched its first next-gen AI-powered store in Tokyo, blending robotics and smart surveillance to monitor customer behavior, recommend products, and assist with cooking and restocking.
So, who knows, we could soon be sharing warehouse floors, factory lines, or even public spaces with humanoid robots that never need a break.
Source link
