Xiaomi Robot Nears Human-Level Skill in Car Factory Nut Installation

Xiaomi's robot division announced on July 14, 2026, that its embodied intelligent robot has made significant strides in automotive manufacturing. After three months of technical breakthroughs, the robot's success rate for dual-side nut installation at the self-tapping nut station in the Xiaomi car factory has climbed to 98%—just one percentage point away from the human pass rate. The robot is now on the verge of officially becoming a "permanent employee."

But the robot isn't stopping there. It has also started exploring new roles, moving into the logistics area of the final assembly workshop. At two new workstations—"center console panel sorting" and "tray folding and recycling"—the robot has achieved a 90% operation success rate.

This application has overcome a long-standing industry challenge: performing flexible operations over extended periods in industrial settings. The center console side panels are large, irregularly shaped, and flexible, making them tricky to handle. Xiaomi's robot, for the first time, achieved a balance between full-body motion control and stable operations over a wide range. By coordinating its hands and using the tactile feedback from its bionic dexterous fingers, the robot can make fine adjustments within its palm. Additionally, an active compliance control strategy based on end-force perception gives the robot the robustness to handle unexpected interactions like hooking or jamming.

At the tray folding workstation, multiple robot units work together, synchronizing their status and cycle times using the factory's digital system.

These achievements mark a significant step toward deploying humanoid robots in complex manufacturing environments. With the nut installation success rate nearly matching humans, and new logistics tasks being mastered, Xiaomi's robot is proving its versatility and reliability. The company plans to continue refining the technology, aiming for full integration into the production line.