UBTECH Walker C

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The UBTECH Walker C is a full-sized bipedal humanoid robot built for commercial service work (reception, guided tours, and visitor engagement) that is developed by UBTECH Robotics, the Shenzhen-based, Hong-Kong-listed (9880.HK) robot maker. It stands 163 cm tall, weighs 43 kg, and has 20 degrees of freedom; it walks and jogs at up to 6 km/h, navigates indoors with UBTECH's proprietary U-SLAM system, and holds multilingual conversations through the company's self-developed Embodied Interactive Large Model.[1][9] Walker C is a service-oriented robot, distinct from UBTECH's industrial Walker S line, and is positioned by UBTECH as an "embodied AI tour guide."[1]

Walker C made its highest-profile public debut in April 2025, when it served as the first embodied artificial intelligence "Tour Guide" at the China Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. China Daily described it as the China Pavilion's first humanoid intelligent "ambassador guide," deployed to "engage closely with visitors at the south square of the China Pavilion."[1][2] The deployment continued UBTECH's tradition of showcasing Walker-series robots at World Expos, following the Walker X's appearance at the China Pavilion during Expo 2020 in Dubai.[2][17]

What is the UBTECH Walker C?

Walker C is a commercial service humanoid robot: a human-scale bipedal machine designed to greet, guide, and inform people in public venues such as exhibition halls, office lobbies, museums, shopping malls, and transportation hubs.[1] Unlike the heavy-payload, high-degree-of-freedom industrial robots in UBTECH's Walker S series, Walker C trades manipulation strength for an approachable, conversational presence: it leads guided tours, narrates exhibits, answers questions in multiple languages, and performs expressive gestures while it walks.[1][9]

UBTECH markets the robot under the tagline "Customized Services Unlimited Possibilities" and describes it on its official product page as a "full-size, electric-driven embodied intelligent humanoid robot" powered by its "self-developed Embodied Interactive Large Model."[9] The robot's defining technologies are bipedal locomotion, U-SLAM autonomous navigation, and an embodied AI language model that ties speech to physical movement.[9][16]

Who makes the Walker C?

Walker C is made by UBTECH Robotics, founded in March 2012 by Zhou Jian (James Zhou) in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The company specializes in humanoid robots, educational robots, and commercial service robots. Early in its history, Zhou identified servo motor technology as the critical bottleneck preventing humanoid robots from becoming practical and affordable, and proprietary servo actuators became the foundation of UBTECH's hardware platform.[3]

UBTECH raised approximately US$820 million in a Series C round led by Tencent in May 2018, valuing it at roughly US$5 billion. On December 29, 2023, UBTECH became the first humanoid robot company to complete an initial public offering, listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and raising approximately HK$1 billion (roughly US$130 million). As of late 2025, the company holds more than 2,790 robotics and AI-related patents and has sold over 760,000 robots across more than 50 countries.[4][5]

How does Walker C fit in the Walker series?

The Walker C belongs to UBTECH's Walker family, a lineage of bipedal humanoid robots that has evolved significantly since its debut in 2018. The original Walker was unveiled at CES 2018 as what UBTECH described as the "World's First Biped Assistant for Consumers." That initial version consisted primarily of a pair of walking legs without arms, standing approximately 1.2 meters tall. It could walk, kick a soccer ball, and navigate stairs. At CES 2019, UBTECH revealed a dramatically upgraded Walker that added a torso, two arms with dexterous hands, and a head, transforming it into a full humanoid form.[6][7]

Subsequent iterations diversified the Walker line into distinct product segments. Walker X (2021) targeted research and advanced service applications with 41 degrees of freedom. The Walker S (2023) pivoted toward industrial manufacturing, deploying on automotive assembly lines at NIO, BYD, and other factories. Walker S1 (2024) and Walker S2 (2025) further refined the industrial platform, with the S2 introducing autonomous battery swapping and 52 degrees of freedom for continuous factory operation.[8]

Walker C, introduced for commercial service deployment around 2024 and 2025, represents a different branch of the family tree. Rather than pursuing the heavy-payload, high-degree-of-freedom approach of the industrial S series, Walker C was designed from the ground up for commercial service roles where natural human interaction and approachable aesthetics take priority over manipulation strength.[1][9]

What are the Walker C's specifications?

Physical design

Walker C stands 163 cm (5 feet 4 inches) tall and weighs 43 kg (approximately 95 pounds), making it close to the stature of an average adult. This human-scale height was a deliberate design choice, allowing the robot to make eye-level contact with most visitors it guides. The robot's 20 degrees of freedom are distributed across its legs, arms, and upper body, providing fluid motion suitable for walking, gesturing, and pointing during tours and presentations.[1][9]

Each arm has a wingspan of 500 mm and a carrying capacity of 5 kg, sufficient for light delivery tasks such as carrying brochures, small packages, or welcome items. While this is considerably less than the 15 kg payload of the industrial Walker S1, the design reflects Walker C's service-oriented role, where physical dexterity matters less than social presence and communication ability.[9][10]

How fast does the Walker C move?

Walker C can walk and jog at speeds up to 6 km/h (approximately 3.7 mph or 1.67 m/s).[1][9] The robot features whole-body motion control that enables stable bipedal locomotion on flat and gently sloped surfaces, with the ability to handle slight inclines and navigate around obstacles. UBTECH emphasizes the robot's "high-dynamic motion control" as a core capability, enabling it to perform choreographed routines, expressive gestures, and smooth transitions between standing, walking, and turning.[11]

The robot's obstacle avoidance system uses a combination of depth cameras and computer vision algorithms to detect and respond to dynamic obstacles in real time. China Daily noted the robot's "agile obstacle avoidance, stable uphill and downhill movement, and anti-impact interference capabilities," which are essential for deployment in crowded commercial spaces such as shopping malls and exhibition halls.[2]

Sensor suite

Walker C carries a comprehensive perception system designed for indoor navigation and human-robot interaction.[9]

Sensor TypeQuantityFunction
RGB-D cameras2Color imaging with depth data for person recognition, tracking, and environment mapping
Structured-light 3D cameras2Near-field depth sensing for precise obstacle detection and spatial awareness
High-precision IMU1Inertial measurement for balance control, orientation tracking, and motion stabilization
Force sensorsMultipleSafe physical interaction and collision detection
Ultrasonic sensorsMultipleClose-range obstacle detection as a safety backup

The dual RGB-D modules and dual structured-light 3D cameras form a binocular vision system that provides robust depth perception across a range of lighting conditions. UBTECH describes this as an "all-scenario binocular" configuration, intended to function reliably in bright exhibition halls, dimly lit corridors, and outdoor pavilion settings alike.[9][12]

Power system

Walker C is powered by a 48V, 15Ah lithium-ion battery pack with an estimated capacity of approximately 720 Wh.[9] According to UBTECH's published working-hours figures, the battery provides approximately 2 hours of continuous walking operation and up to 4 hours of standing or stationary interaction, with a charging time of approximately 1.5 hours from empty to full.[9] Average power consumption during operation is estimated at 100 to 150 watts, with peak draw reaching approximately 300 watts during demanding maneuvers.[13]

Power SpecificationValue
Battery typeLithium-ion
Voltage48V
Capacity15 Ah (~720 Wh)
Walking runtime~2 hours
Standing runtime~4 hours
Charging time~1.5 hours
Average power draw100-150 W
Peak power draw~300 W

Connectivity

The robot supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for data exchange, remote monitoring, and cloud-based AI services.[9] UBTECH provides open joint control interfaces and communication interfaces, allowing system integrators to customize Walker C's behavior for specific venue requirements. A touchscreen panel on the robot's body provides an additional input method for visitors and operators.[14]

What AI runs the Walker C?

Embodied Interactive Large Model

At the core of Walker C's intelligence is UBTECH's self-developed Embodied Interactive Large Model, a proprietary large language model system designed specifically for embodied robotic interaction.[9][15] This AI system enables Walker C to conduct natural multilingual dialogue, answer visitor questions in context, deliver scripted tour narratives, and adapt its responses based on the specific exhibits or facilities it is guiding visitors through. UBTECH's product materials describe the system as supporting "adaptive narration" and "customized database Q&A support."[9]

The Embodied Interactive Large Model goes beyond text-based conversation. It integrates language understanding with the robot's physical actions, allowing Walker C to coordinate speech with gestures, pointing, head movements, and body orientation. For example, when describing an exhibit, the robot can turn toward the object, point at it, and deliver commentary simultaneously, creating a more engaging and intuitive tour experience.

U-SLAM navigation

Walker C uses UBTECH's proprietary U-SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) navigation system for autonomous indoor positioning and path planning.[9][16] U-SLAM combines data from the robot's RGB-D cameras, structured-light 3D cameras, and IMU to build and maintain a real-time map of its environment. The system enables Walker C to localize itself within a mapped venue, plan efficient routes between points of interest, and dynamically reroute around obstacles or crowds.

U-SLAM has been a core technology across UBTECH's product lineup since the introduction of the Cruzr commercial service robot in 2017. The version deployed on Walker C incorporates improvements refined through years of real-world deployment in commercial environments.

Multimodal interaction

Walker C supports multiple interaction modalities.

  • Voice recognition and synthesis: The robot can understand spoken commands and questions in multiple languages and respond with synthesized speech.
  • Gesture recognition: Built-in computer vision algorithms detect common human gestures, allowing visitors to interact nonverbally.
  • Facial recognition: The robot can identify and greet returning visitors or VIP guests.
  • Body language: Walker C uses its 20 degrees of freedom to express emotions and emphasis through physical movement, nodding, waving, and pointing.
  • Touch interface: An on-board display panel allows text-based interaction and visual information display.

This multimodal approach makes the robot accessible to visitors who speak different languages or who may be unfamiliar with voice-activated systems.

Technical specifications summary

SpecificationValue
Height163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
Weight43 kg (95 lb)
Degrees of freedom20
Maximum speed6 km/h (3.7 mph)
Arm wingspan500 mm
Arm payload5 kg per arm
Battery48V 15Ah lithium-ion
Walking runtime~2 hours
Standing runtime~4 hours
Charge time~1.5 hours
Cameras2x RGB-D, 2x structured-light 3D
IMUHigh-precision
NavigationU-SLAM
AI engineEmbodied Interactive Large Model
ConnectivityWi-Fi, Bluetooth
LanguagesMultilingual
ActuationElectric servo motors

What is the Walker C used for?

Expo 2025 Osaka

Walker C's most prominent deployment to date has been at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, which opened on April 13, 2025. The robot was stationed at the South Plaza of the China Pavilion, where it served as the pavilion's first humanoid AI "ambassador guide."[1][2] In this role, Walker C greeted visitors, provided guided tours of the exhibits, answered questions in multiple languages, and performed interactive demonstrations. It was showcased alongside UBTECH's portable Alpha Mini robots, a dozen of which performed a synchronized dance to the traditional Chinese melody "High Mountains and Flowing Water" at the pavilion.[2] UBTECH described the Expo deployment as a continuation of its partnership with the China Pavilion, which began at Expo 2020 in Dubai, where Walker X and the Panda Robot served similar functions for approximately 1.76 million visitors over 182 days.[17][18]

The Expo 2025 deployment served as both a commercial showcase and a real-world stress test for Walker C's systems. Operating in an international venue with visitors from dozens of countries required the robot's multilingual dialogue system to handle diverse languages and cultural interaction styles.

Target venues

Beyond the Expo, UBTECH markets Walker C for deployment in several categories of commercial environments.[9]

Venue TypeTypical Use Case
Exhibition halls and museumsGuided tours, exhibit narration, visitor Q&A
Office buildings and corporate campusesReception, visitor check-in, wayfinding
Shopping mallsCustomer greeting, promotional announcements, store directory assistance
Transportation hubs (airports, train stations)Passenger guidance, multilingual information services
Hotels and resortsGuest welcome, lobby concierge, amenity information
Science centers and cultural pavilionsInteractive educational presentations
Service centersQueue management, basic customer service

In each of these settings, Walker C is intended to supplement (not replace) human staff by handling repetitive tasks such as greetings, wayfinding, and answering frequently asked questions, freeing human employees to focus on more complex interactions.

How does the Walker C compare to other Walker robots?

The Walker C occupies a distinct niche within UBTECH's Walker family. The following table compares the key models in the series.

FeatureWalker (2018)Walker X (2021)Walker C (~2024)Walker S (2023)Walker S1 (2024)Walker S2 (2025)
Height~1.2 m1.45 m1.63 m1.70 m1.72 m1.76 m
WeightN/A~63 kg43 kg~76 kg76 kg~43 kg (body)
Degrees of freedomLegs only4120414152
Max speedN/AN/A6 km/hN/A3 km/h7.2 km/h
Arm payloadNone3 kg/hand5 kg/arm15 kg/arm15 kg15 kg
Battery runtimeN/AN/A2-4 hrsN/A~2 hrsAutonomous swap
AI integrationVoice commandsVision, hand-eye coordinationEmbodied Interactive Large ModelForce feedback, multi-modal sensingLLM-based task planning, semantic VSLAMCo-Agent system
Primary applicationConsumer / homeService / researchCommercial serviceIndustrial manufacturingIndustrial manufacturingIndustrial manufacturing (mass production)

The comparison reveals Walker C's distinct positioning. It has fewer degrees of freedom than any of the S-series models (20 vs. 41 to 52), reflecting its focus on communication and navigation rather than complex manipulation. However, it is the lightest full-sized model in the family at 43 kg, making it more portable and less intimidating in public-facing environments. Its walking speed of 6 km/h is among the fastest in the lineup, important for keeping pace with walking visitors during guided tours.

How much does the Walker C cost?

UBTECH has not published an official list price (MSRP) for the Walker C, and most distributors list it as quote-on-request for procurement.[19] Third-party distributors have listed the robot at prices ranging from approximately US$25,000 to US$100,000, with the wide range likely reflecting differences between base configurations and fully integrated deployment packages that include venue mapping, custom dialogue scripts, and ongoing support services.[19] One robotics product database estimates a unit price of approximately US$41,200, but it explicitly notes that this figure is derived from comparable UBTECH humanoid models rather than a confirmed Walker C price.[20] (A similar 299,000 yuan, roughly US$41,200, figure circulates for UBTECH's separate Tien Kung Xingzhe robot and should not be conflated with Walker C.) Prospective buyers should treat all third-party prices as estimates pending an official UBTECH quote.

As of early 2026, Walker C is available through UBTECH's international distribution network. The robot has been listed as in-stock by distributors in the United States, Canada, and Asia. Target markets include China, Japan, and select international regions. UBTECH has not publicly disclosed total production or sales figures for the Walker C specifically, though orders for the broader Walker series surpassed RMB 630 million (roughly US$86 million) by October 2025 and exceeded RMB 800 million (roughly US$112 million) by November 2025.[21][27]

Who competes with the Walker C?

Walker C operates in the commercial humanoid service robot market, which is projected to be worth approximately US$3.93 billion in 2026 and expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 35 percent through 2031.[22]

Key competitors

RobotManufacturerHeightDOFPrice (est.)Key Differentiator
Walker CUBTECH Robotics163 cm20~$25,000-$100,000Bipedal, Embodied AI Large Model, U-SLAM
PepperSoftBank Robotics120 cm19~$25,000-$30,000Emotion recognition, largest installed base (27,000+ units)
NAOSoftBank Robotics58 cm25~$9,000Education and research focus, small form factor
CruzrUBTECH RoboticsN/AWheeled~$15,000Wheeled mobility, lower cost, same U-SLAM navigation
XMAN R1Keenon RoboticsN/AWheeled~$10,000Autonomous delivery focus, 100,000+ units shipped

Walker C's primary competitive advantage is its bipedal, full-sized humanoid form. While wheeled robots such as UBTECH's own Cruzr and Keenon's delivery platforms dominate commercial service deployments by volume, Walker C's human-like walking and gesturing create a qualitatively different visitor experience. The bipedal form is particularly valuable in showcase environments (expos, museums, corporate lobbies) where the wow factor of a walking humanoid justifies the higher price point.

SoftBank's Pepper remains the most widely deployed customer-facing humanoid globally, with over 27,000 units sold since its 2014 launch. However, Pepper's production was paused in 2021 and has seen limited updates since then, potentially opening market share for newer entrants like Walker C. Pepper is also significantly shorter at 120 cm, which limits its physical presence compared to Walker C's 163 cm height.[23]

On the industrial humanoid front, Walker C does not compete directly with robots such as Tesla Optimus, Figure 02, or Agility Robotics' Digit, which target warehouse and manufacturing environments. UBTECH addresses those markets separately through its Walker S series.

Market context

The global humanoid robot market has seen rapid expansion in the mid-2020s, driven by declining costs for AI hardware, advances in large language models that enable natural dialogue, and growing labor shortages in service industries. Industry reports indicate that approximately 13,317 humanoid robots were shipped globally in 2025, with Chinese manufacturers accounting for roughly 90 percent of total volume.[24]

UBTECH's broader strategy segments the market into three tiers: education (served by Alpha, Jimu, and Yanshee products), commercial service (served by Cruzr and Walker C), and industrial manufacturing (served by Walker S, S1, and S2). Walker C's role in this strategy is to establish UBTECH's presence in the high-visibility commercial service segment, where successful deployments at venues like Expo 2025 generate media coverage and brand recognition that benefits the entire product lineup.

The company announced plans to scale Walker series production capacity to 5,000 units annually by 2026 and 10,000 units by 2027, though these figures primarily reflect the industrial Walker S2. UBTECH secured a US$1 billion credit facility from Infini Capital in September 2025 to support production expansion, including the establishment of a joint venture for a "superfactory" in the Middle East.[25][26]

ELI5: What is the Walker C, explained simply?

Imagine a friendly, life-sized robot person who works as a tour guide. The Walker C is about as tall as a short adult (163 cm), walks on two legs like we do, and can talk to you in different languages. If you visit a museum, a big office building, or a fair, it can walk up to you, say hello, point at things, and tell you about them. It is not built to lift heavy boxes in a factory (that is the job of its cousins, the Walker S robots). Instead, it is built to be helpful and easy to talk to, using a special "brain" (an AI language model) made by its company, UBTECH, so it can answer your questions and lead you around.

See Also

References

  1. UBTECH Robotics. "Walker C: First embodied AI Tour Guide at Expo 2025 Osaka." Official product page (specifications and marketing claims). https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/walker-c
  2. China Daily. "UBTECH robot to make first appearance at Osaka World Expo 2025." April 11, 2025. http://subsites.chinadaily.com.cn/beijing/etda/2025-04/11/c_1085015.htm
  3. EqualOcean. "The first humanoid robot stock! Ubtech officially debuts on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange." January 5, 2024. https://equalocean.com/news/2024010520421
  4. South China Morning Post. "UBTech, maker of Stormtrooper robots, jumps in Hong Kong trading debut after pricing final IPO of 2023 at lower end of range." December 29, 2023. https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3246584
  5. Caproasia. "Tencent-Backed Robot-Maker UBTech Robotics IPO in Hong Kong with $4.8 Billion Market Value." January 5, 2024. https://www.caproasia.com/2024/01/05/tencent-backed-robot-maker-ubtech-robotics-ipo-in-hong-kong/
  6. Business Wire. "UBTECH Announces Walker: The World's First Biped Assistant for Consumers." January 9, 2018. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180109005215/en/
  7. IEEE Spectrum. "UBTECH Shows Off Massive Upgrades to Walker Humanoid Robot." January 2019. https://spectrum.ieee.org/ubtech-upgrades-walker-humanoid-robot
  8. PR Newswire. "UBTECH Humanoid Robot Walker S2 Begins Mass Production and Delivery, with Orders Exceeding 800 Million Yuan." November 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ubtech-humanoid-robot-walker-s2-begins-mass-production-and-delivery-with-orders-exceeding-800-million-yuan-302616924.html
  9. UBTECH Official Website. "Walker C - Humanoid Service Robot (full specifications, sensors, battery, AI, navigation, applications)." ubtrobot.com. https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/walker-c
  10. UBTECH Official Website. "Walker C - Product Specifications (arm payload and wingspan)." ubtrobot.com. https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/WalkerC
  11. Robotic Gizmos. "UBTECH Walker C 20 DOF Embodied AI Humanoid Robot." April 30, 2025. https://www.roboticgizmos.com/ubtech-walker-c-humanoid/
  12. Origin of Bots. "Walker C by UBTECH Robotics: Price, Details, Review 2026." https://www.originofbots.com/robot/walker-c-by-ubtech-robotics-details-specifications-rating
  13. Origin of Bots. "Walker C by UBTECH Robotics: Full Humanoid Specs (power and runtime estimates)." https://www.originofbots.com/robot/walker-c-by-ubtech-robotics-details-specifications-rating
  14. UBTECH Official Website. "Walker C - Connectivity and Interfaces." ubtrobot.com. https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/WalkerC
  15. UBTECH Official Website. "Walker C - Embodied Interactive Large Model." ubtrobot.com. https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/walker-c
  16. UBTECH Official Website. "Walker - Navigation and Technology (U-SLAM)." ubtrobot.com. https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/walker
  17. EyeShenzhen. "SZ robot enlivens Media Day at China Pavilion at Osaka Expo." April 9, 2025. https://www.eyeshenzhen.com/content/2025-04/09/content_31531734.htm
  18. PR Newswire. "Expo 2020 Dubai: UBTECH Panda Robot turns heads at China Pavilion." 2021. https://www.prnewswire.com/ae/news-releases/expo-2020-dubai-ubtech-panda-robot-turns-heads-at-china-pavilion-808500375.html
  19. Robots International. "UBTECH Walker C: Specs, Uses & Availability (price on request; configuration-dependent)." https://www.robotsinternational.com/i-ar/UBTECH-Walker-C-Humanoid-Service-Robot.htm
  20. Origin of Bots. "Walker C by UBTECH Robotics: Price Details (estimate based on similar UBTECH models)." https://www.originofbots.com/robot/walker-c-by-ubtech-robotics-details-specifications-rating
  21. TechNode. "UBTECH's Walker series humanoid robot orders exceed 630 million yuan in 2025." October 20, 2025. https://technode.com/2025/10/20/ubtechs-walker-series-humanoid-robot-orders-exceed-630-million-yuan-in-2025/
  22. Mordor Intelligence. "Humanoids Market Size, Forecast Report (2026-2031)." https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/humanoids-market
  23. GlobeNewsWire. "Humanoid Robot Company Evaluation Report 2025: SoftBank Robotics Group, ROBOTIS, and UBTECH Robotics Lead." July 29, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/29/3123047/28124/en/
  24. People's Daily Online / industry reports on 2025 humanoid robot shipments. 2026.
  25. Robotics and Automation News. "UBTECH begins mass production of Walker S2 humanoid robot." November 17, 2025. https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/11/17/ubtech-starts-mass-production-of-humanoid-robots/96647/
  26. South China Morning Post. "Leading Chinese humanoid robot maker UBTech gets US$1 billion boost from Infini Capital." September 2025.
  27. PR Newswire. "UBTECH Humanoid Robot Walker S2 Begins Mass Production and Delivery, with Orders Exceeding 800 Million Yuan." November 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ubtech-humanoid-robot-walker-s2-begins-mass-production-and-delivery-with-orders-exceeding-800-million-yuan-302616924.html

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