China deploys ‘Immortal Soldiers’: Humanoid robot army at the border

WISE NEWS PRESS / SHENZHEN, CHINA — Nov. 28, 2025

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global defense community, China has announced the deployment of a humanoid robot army to patrol its border with Vietnam starting December 2025.

The $37 million project, led by Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics, represents the first time a nation has mass-deployed humanoid robots for border security. The robots, dubbed "Immortal Soldiers" due to their ability to operate 24/7 without fatigue, are set to redefine modern border management and military strategy.

The rise of the ‘Immortal Soldier’

The core of this robotic force is the Walker S2 model. Standing 1.80 meters tall and weighing 85 kg, the robot boasts 42 degrees of freedom in its joints, allowing for human-like movement. Its most groundbreaking feature is its autonomous battery-swapping capability.

When power runs low, the Walker S2 automatically navigates to a charging station, swaps its depleted battery for a fresh one, and returns to duty immediately. This eliminates downtime, ensuring continuous operation—a feat impossible for human soldiers.

Surveillance and potential combat roles

Officially termed "smart border management," the robots will undertake tasks such as passenger greeting, passport control assistance, multilingual guidance, and round-the-clock patrolling using thermal and night vision cameras. They will also coordinate with drones for search and rescue missions.

However, state media outlets like CCTV and the Global Times have described the project as a victory for China's "military-civil fusion strategy." The modular design of the Walker S2 allows it to be retrofitted as a weapons platform if necessary. A 2025 Pentagon report had already classified this model as a "potential combat robot."

Mass production and future targets

UBTech CEO Zhou Jian revealed ambitious production targets: 500 units by the end of 2025, scaling up to 10,000 units by 2027. Economies of scale are expected to slash unit costs by 70%, with factories in Shenzhen and Shanghai running three shifts to meet demand.

International observers are sounding the alarm. The Wall Street Journal noted that China is close to integrating humanoids into its armed forces, while the BBC suggested the Vietnam border is merely a pilot program for future deployments in the Taiwan Strait and the Spratly Islands.

According to Chinese sources, the next testing grounds for the Walker S2 will likely be naval bases on Hainan Island and artificial islands in the South China Sea, signaling a significant shift in the balance of power in the Pacific.

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