en.Wedoany.com Reported - Beijing-based tech company Galbot has deployed its S1 humanoid robot on the module and battery pack production lines of CATL. CATL stated that the robot will "directly replace human workers" in high-intensity processes.
The robot is powered by batteries manufactured by CATL, the battery maker. The two companies have also signed a "global strategic cooperation agreement" focused on upgrading smart manufacturing production lines and accelerating the large-scale application of AI-driven humanoid robots. According to the "World Robotics 2025 Report" released by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), 54% of the world's annually installed industrial robots are deployed in China.
The two companies are collaborating to develop the Galbot S1, a heavy-load humanoid robot. It is the world's first AI humanoid robot powered by CATL batteries and put into regular operation. CATL stated that the S1 robot deployed on its production lines features a dual-arm load capacity of 50 kg, pure vision-based centimeter-level precise positioning, and 360-degree omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. The robot is powered by CATL's battery cells, which utilize a positive electrode with particle grading technology, a low-lithium-consumption negative electrode, and a "bionic self-healing electrolyte," achieving a cell failure rate of one in a billion. The Chinese battery manufacturer stated that the robot can operate continuously for up to 8 hours, while ensuring extended lifespan and high safety for production line operations. The Galbot S1 has been deployed on CATL's smart production lines, performing long-duration autonomous operations in module and battery pack manufacturing. In a press release, CATL stated that it will directly replace human workers in high-intensity processes such as material handling and sorting. The company said this significantly reduces the physical labor intensity for workshop workers.
Galbot is a startup founded in 2023, partially funded by CATL. It has rapidly become a key player in China's humanoid robot market and has partnered with Bosch Group to advance the industrial deployment of embodied AI. In a 2025 interview with China Daily, Galbot co-founder Zhang Zhizheng stated: "I believe it is feasible to achieve the commercial deployment of humanoid robots in factories within two years." Addressing the industry challenge of overcoming data collection obstacles, he said: "We have been able to seamlessly transfer skills mastered in virtual environments to entirely new real-world settings with minimal semantic relabeling."
The IFR's "World Robotics 2025 Report" indicates that China is the world's largest industrial robot market. The latest data shows 295,000 industrial robots were installed, setting an annual record high. According to the IFR, domestic robot installations are also increasing, with Chinese manufacturers surpassing foreign suppliers in sales within their home market for the first time. The domestic market share has climbed to 57%, an increase of 28 percentage points over the past decade.
