A humanoid robot works at Zeekr's Smart Factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Zeekr's 5G Smart Factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, just got a new employee – and it happens to be a humanoid robot.

The robot, designed as a lightweight solution tailored for smart manufacturing and intelligent logistics, has been undergoing a three-week training program, as part of which it is collaborating with human workers to carry out tasks related to the handling of materials.

Loading and unloading operations are ubiquitous in smart manufacturing and intelligent logistics environments. The robot leverages advanced technologies such as end-to-end imitation learning, precise visual recognition, and intricate full-body motion control to navigate autonomously across different pallets and assembly lines, carrying out tasks seamlessly alongside Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).

The robot is unique in its capability to walk smoothly while handling a load of up to 15 kilograms. This feat has been made possible thanks to the integration of high-performance servo drives and six-axis force sensors. Which ensures smooth and efficient material handling within demanding industrial settings.

"Powered by AI, the humanoid robot possesses multimodal sensing and autonomous decision-making abilities, making it more adept at tackling complex and dynamic work environments. Its potential in the smart manufacturing sector is immense," said Xu Jun, head of the Innovation Technology Department at Geely Automobile's ME Center.