Shanghai-based robotics startup AGIBOT has rolled out its latest creation, the Genie G2, a wheeled humanoid robot designed for the factory floor. More significantly, it’s not just a prototype gathering dust. AGIBOT has secured a massive framework order valued in the hundreds of millions of yuan from renowned electronics ODM Shanghai Longcheer. This deal will see nearly 1,000 G2 units deployed across Longcheer’s factories, marking one of the largest orders for industrial humanoid robots in China.
The Genie G2 is pragmatism on wheels. Instead of chasing the bipedal dream, AGIBOT has opted for a more stable and efficient wheeled base for navigating smooth factory floors. The robot boasts a foldable torso, an anthropomorphic waist, and highly dexterous hands with 19 degrees of freedom for precision manipulation and inspection tasks. Armed with 360° 3D environmental navigation, it’s built to maneuver through workstations and machine rooms, handling materials and performing complex operations. While designed for industry, AGIBOT also hints at its potential in service roles like guest reception and security.
Why is this important?
This isn’t just another humanoid robot announcement; it’s a major signal of commercial viability. The substantial order from a major ODM like Longcheer proves there’s a real-world appetite for humanoid robots in manufacturing, moving them from R&D curiosities to deployable assets. AGIBOT’s decision to use wheels instead of legs for the G2 is a clever, practical choice that prioritizes immediate utility and stability in controlled environments over the more complex and less reliable bipedal locomotion. This focus on practical application and the sheer scale of the deployment could accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots in industrial automation, proving that sometimes, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to revolutionize the factory.
