Xiaomi launches a highly automated smart home appliance factory in Wuhan, showcasing one of the most advanced examples of lights-out manufacturing in China. The facility operates with minimal human involvement, relying on robotics and AI-driven systems to sustain continuous production without on-site lighting.
At the core of the plant are 161 autonomous mobile robots that handle more than 90% of internal logistics. These robots transport components, dynamically avoid obstacles, and coordinate production flows in real time, while human staff focus mainly on supervision, maintenance, and system control.
The extreme automation enables exceptional output efficiency. At peak capacity, the factory produces a new air conditioner every 6.5 seconds, highlighting how advanced robotics can dramatically improve manufacturing speed, consistency, and cost efficiency as China adapts to rising labor costs and global competition.