"Just last year, robot appearances were charming but clunky: think awkward "dances" that needed human help to keep upright. Instead, this year, they executed complex actions; backflips, martial arts inspired routines, even comedic timing that was surprisingly sharp for machines. C lips of the robots went viral almost immediately, flooding social platforms and dominating international tech feeds. Chinese state media and commentators have leaned into the moment as proof of rapid progress in humanoid robotics, placing it squarely within China's "AI+manufacturing" industrial ambitions."
"This year's gala, which is China's equivalent of the Super Bowl meets cultural heritage broadcast, featured everything from high-speed martial arts sequences to choreographed routines done by humanoid robots from leading local makers like Unitree Robotics, Galbot, MagicLab and Noetix. Watching them flip, strike poses, and dance isn't just futuristic entertainment; it's a deliberate signal about where Chinese tech wants to sit at the global table."
Humanoid robots from leading Chinese firms performed martial-arts sequences, choreography, and comedy at the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala. The displays contrasted with last year's clunkier appearances by executing backflips, sharp comedic timing, and synchronized routines. Viral clips flooded social platforms and international tech feeds, and state media framed the performances as evidence of rapid progress in humanoid robotics tied to China’s "AI+manufacturing" industrial strategy. Audience reactions varied from praise to complaints that the gala felt more like a consumer electronics show than a cosy cultural celebration. The optics underline China’s push to combine AI and manufacturing for global tech positioning.
Read at TNW | China
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