Serbia has started serial production of humanoid robots at a Chinese-owned factory in Šabac, following an initial €20 million investment by Minth Group and robotics developer AGIBOT. The production line at Minth’s existing industrial complex was launched on August 29, with the first robot receiving serial number 001. Serbian authorities and the companies describe the facility as Europe’s first mass-production base for humanoid robots.
Planned expansion targets 20,000 units
The initial Šabac operation is part of a broader programme that could bring total planned investment to around €200 million through a proposed Robotics Industrial Park in Inđija. The project targets annual capacity of up to 20,000 humanoid robots and robotic dogs, primarily for European and international markets. Serbian authorities have also cited an initial target of more than 5,000 robots annually. The Šabac line is operating, while the 20,000-unit capacity and Inđija robotics park remain planned targets.
Minth and AGIBOT combine industrial and robotics capabilities
Minth entered Serbia in 2018 and says it now operates 10 manufacturing plants in the country. Its existing production and logistics infrastructure provides a manufacturing base for the robotics project, while AGIBOT supplies the robotics technology. Minth says the robots use multimodal perception, tactile sensing and AI-based control for applications including material handling, loading and unloading, industrial inspection and repetitive or hazardous production tasks.
AGIBOT, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, delivered 5,168 humanoid robots in 2025 and approximately 8,400 units in the first half of 2026, according to figures cited by Serbia’s Development Agency. The figures are company-related market estimates and are not independently audited global market-share data.
Localisation will determine the industrial impact
The project’s longer-term contribution to Serbia will depend on how much of the value chain is developed locally. An operation focused mainly on assembling imported motors, sensors, computing hardware, batteries and software would generate manufacturing output and exports but leave much of the technology and intellectual property abroad.
Greater Serbian participation in engineering, software integration, testing, component sourcing and product development could create a broader role in the emerging physical-AI supply chain. Current plans indicate approximately 200-250 jobs at the Šabac operation. Minth has also indicated that its Serbian expansion could eventually include unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced batteries.
European market creates additional requirements
The planned expansion faces technology and market considerations related to cybersecurity, data security, machine safety, certification and software updates. Humanoid robots operating in industrial facilities could interact with production data, cameras, factory networks and operational systems. For a Serbia-based facility targeting European customers, the localisation of software, components and engineering capabilities could therefore be important. The project’s progress will be measured through factors including the share of local components, engineering jobs, export value, domestic R&D, Serbian supplier participation and execution of the planned €200 million Inđija expansion.
