Chinese 6-armed humanoid robot aimed to replace “teams of workers”

A Chinese appliance manufacturer has unveiled a new industrial robot unlike any other: it has six arms, instead of the usual 2. The new wheeled robot, known as MIRO-U, was introduced by Midea Group at the “Global Bay Area New Economy Forum” and is positioned as a productivity-focused alternative to conventional humanoid robots.

Unlike most humanoid robots, which typically rely on two arms and closely replicate human movement, MIRO-U is built around efficiency rather than imitation. The robot retains a humanoid head and torso to match human-height workstations, but features six fully actuated bionic arms capable of performing multiple tasks simultaneously. According to Midea, the robot can handle up to three operations simultaneously, combining heavy lifting with precise assembly and fastening work.

MIRO-U operates on a wheeled chassis, enabling easy movement between workstations, and includes a stable vertical lifting system and full 360-degree in-place rotation. These capabilities will allow it to transition between tasks that would normally require several human workers or multiple specialized machines. Rapid tool-swapping further enhances its flexibility on the production line.

Midea Group’s Vice President and CTO, Wei Chang, described the robot as a “super humanoid,” emphasizing that its value lies in surpassing human physical limits rather than replicating human form. He noted that MIRO-U was designed specifically for industrial environments, where practical efficiency and reliability matter more than human-like appearance.

The robot is already moving beyond the testing phase. Midea plans to deploy MIRO-U in its Wuxi high-end washing machine factory in Jiangsu province, with pilot operations expected to begin by the end of the month. The company estimates that, once fully integrated, the robot could improve production line changeover efficiency by approximately 30%.

The launch also reflects Midea’s broader robotics strategy. The company has divided its humanoid development into two product lines: the MIRO series for industrial applications and the Meila series for commercial and consumer-facing environments. The Meila robots, which are smaller and bipedal, are intended for roles such as customer guidance and in-store demonstrations, with deployment planned by 2026.