China’s most-watched television event, the annual Spring Festival gala, showcased cutting-edge humanoid robots on Monday, underscoring Beijing’s emphasis on next-generation manufacturing technology. During the event, four emerging humanoid robot startups – Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab – presented their innovations. The gala, a televised extravaganza akin to the Super Bowl in the United States, featured humanoid robots prominently in its initial three segments.
In one notable demonstration, over a dozen Unitree humanoids engaged in a martial arts display, executing intricate fight sequences with swords, poles, and nunchucks in close proximity to human child performers. The robots even simulated the unsteady movements and falls characteristic of China’s “drunken boxing” martial arts style, showcasing advancements in multi-robot coordination and fault recovery capabilities.
Furthermore, Bytedance’s AI chatbot, Doubao, took the spotlight in the program’s opening act. Noetix humanoid robots joined human actors in a comedic skit, while MagicLab robots danced in synchronization with human performers to the tune of “We Are Made in China.”
The buzz surrounding China’s humanoid robot industry coincides with the upcoming initial public offerings of major players like AgiBot and Unitree. Meanwhile, local artificial intelligence startups are unveiling pioneering models during the lucrative Lunar New Year public holiday. Last year’s gala amazed audiences with 16 full-size Unitree humanoids dancing alongside human performers, leading to a meeting between Unitree’s founder and President Xi Jinping.
President Xi’s interactions with robotics startup founders signify the sector’s growing visibility, as he has met with five such founders in the past year. This attention underscores China’s ambitions in robotics and artificial intelligence, showcased annually on the widely-viewed CCTV Spring Festival gala. The event serves as a platform to showcase Beijing’s technological aspirations, including advancements in space technology, drones, and robotics.
Analysts note the significant progress in the capabilities of these robots, particularly in motion control, which reflects Unitree’s focus on developing AI-powered software for precise motor tasks applicable in real-world industrial settings. China sees robotics and AI as pivotal to its future manufacturing strategy, aiming to enhance productivity amid challenges posed by an aging workforce.
China dominated the global humanoid robot market last year, accounting for 90% of the approximately 13,000 units shipped worldwide. Research predicts a substantial growth in China’s humanoid robot sales this year, with Elon Musk acknowledging Chinese companies as formidable competitors in the field of embodied AI.