Robots tackle fabric automation challenge

Robot performs tasks during the garment production process. [Photo/Haishu Media Center]

A Ningbo-based robotics company has signed a deal with Jack Technology to deploy 2,000 customized humanoid robots in garment factories, marking what is described as the world's first large-scale application of humanoid robots in the global apparel industry.

The project, led by Zhejiang Innovation Center for Humanoid Robotics Co in Ningbo's Haishu district, signals a shift from lab prototypes to real industrial deployment in embodied AI, as the sector moves toward scalable commercialization.

Garment manufacturing is widely regarded as one of the most difficult areas for automation due to the unpredictable nature of flexible fabrics. 

Materials wrinkle easily and vary in shape and texture, while tasks such as collar and pocket alignment require positional accuracy within a tolerance of about 2 millimeters.

Core processes such as cutting and sewing demand even higher precision, down to the sub-millimeter level, placing significant pressure on perception, control and generalization capabilities in robotics.

Traditional automation systems are mainly suited to standardized, high-volume production, making them less compatible with the industry's "small-batch, fast-turnover, multi-variety" model, alongside rising labor shortages and an aging workforce.

The robots developed by Zhejiang Innovation Center for Humanoid Robotics integrate multi-sensor systems and modular design for complex garment-handling tasks. The system reportedly achieves cycle times of under 10 seconds per operation, with multi-layer fabric alignment accuracy within a 2mm range.

The robots also use remote teleoperation to support large-scale data collection and model training.

According to the company, its NAVIAI system has demonstrated stable end-to-end performance, including fabric handling, stacking, and unloading. It has been validated in pilot deployments and showcased at major industry events such as the World Robot Conference and China International Sewing Machinery and Accessories Show, the world's largest professional sewing equipment exhibition.

The 2,000-unit rollout is expected to accelerate the shift from single-task automation to broader deployment across garment production lines, as manufacturers look for solutions to labor shortages and increasing production complexity.