During this year's Lunar New Year gala in China, the eyes of the world turned to a futuristic spectacle. A group of advanced humanoid robots, developed by leading Chinese startups, presented a perfectly synchronized kung-fu choreography. This show, broadcast by state television CCTV to hundreds of millions of viewers, served as a demonstration of Beijing's technological power and ambitions to surpass Western competition in the service and industrial robotics sector.

Debut of Kung-Fu Robots

Over twenty machines performed the world's first such complex, synchronized show of martial arts using traditional weapons.

Technological Demonstration of Power

China showcased the potential of startups like Unitree and Galbot, challenging Tesla Optimus projects.

Response to Demographics

The use of child robots in a sketch was meant to illustrate future applications of machines in elderly care and daily life.

This year's Spring Festival Gala became the stage for an unprecedented spectacle where tradition met cutting-edge technology. Chinese authorities used this most prestigious airtime to showcase to the world their progress in the field of humanoid robotics. The audience gathered in front of their televisions could admire how machines performed complex acrobatics with unprecedented grace, wielded traditional weapons such as swords or nunchaku sticks, and even practiced parkour. At the center of attention were the H1 models from Unitree Robotics, which demonstrated fluidity of movement almost rivaling dancers and martial arts masters.

This event has deep political and economic significance, fitting into Beijing's broader industrial policy plan, which seeks dominance in the high-tech sector. Four dynamically developing startups participated in the show: Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab. Experts emphasize that the scale and sophistication of the presentation constitute a direct challenge to American billionaire Elon Musk and his Optimus project. Although the main theme was Chinese kung-fu, the real message was China's ability for mass production of advanced machines that could take on duties in homes and factories in the future. Nearly 80% of China's population watched the spectacle, resulting in a global audience of billions. The history of Chinese martial arts, known as wushu or kung-fu, dates back thousands of years and is inextricably linked with philosophy and traditional medicine, forming the foundation of the cultural heritage of the Middle Kingdom. For many observers, the most striking moment was the scene involving four child-like robots who entered the stage at the request of an elderly woman as part of a comedy sketch. This element was intended to familiarize society with the presence of robots in daily life and elderly care. The development of this technology is crucial for China, which faces the problem of an aging society and a shrinking workforce. Investments in robotics are meant to be a response to these demographic challenges, ensuring continued economic growth without the need to increase labor immigration. 80% — of the Chinese population watched the New Year's gala Main Robot Producers at the Gala: Unitree Robotics: 24, Galbot: 1, Noetix: 1, MagicLab: 1

Mentioned People

  • Elon Musk — American billionaire and owner of Tesla, whose humanoid robot projects are the main competitor for Chinese technologies.