China plans to showcase its latest humanoid robots during the Lunar New Year celebrations. The country’s most-watched TV event will highlight recent progress in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Robots take center stage for national broadcast
Reuters reports that humanoid robots will appear in the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala, a major Lunar New Year show watched by nearly 80% of China’s TV audience. The event is known for highlighting the country’s technological and industrial progress.
Startups like Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab are expected to present humanoid robots during the celebration. This reflects China’s efforts to advance robotics and next-generation manufacturing as part of its “AI+ manufacturing” strategy. featured large-scale demonstrations.
Last year’s broadcast included 16 humanoid robots from Unitree performing coordinated routines, highlighting advances in synchronization and movement.
Public performances highlight industry progress
NBC Philadelphia reported that humanoid robots have also appeared at public Lunar New Year events, including rehearsals where they performed dance routines and joined festive displays. These performances aim to make robotics part of everyday culture and entertainment.
Organizers said more robots are involved this year, and their abilities have improved. Some can now perform coordinated routines and other programmed actions in front of audiences.
Even as robots become more advanced, reports note that many still need human help for some tasks, like setup or mobility adjustments during demonstrations.
Industry growth behind the showcase
China leads the global humanoid robotics market, making up about 90% of the 13,000 units shipped last year. Projections suggest this number could double by 2026. Public demonstrations help raise visibility, attract investment, and gain government support for the growing sector.
Analysts expect this year’s performances to show technical improvements, such as better coordination between robots and more precise movements for delicate tasks.
A cultural stage for emerging technology
The Lunar New Year gala has become a prominent platform for promoting new technologies in China. Appearing on the broadcast can help companies gain investor attention, secure contracts, and demonstrate progress to policymakers and the public.
Public showcases, like robot performances at malls and fairs, are helping introduce the technology to everyday people. These events mix entertainment with demonstrations of what robots can do as the industry grows.
The televised gala and public events together show how China uses cultural celebrations to highlight advances in humanoid robotics as the sector grows and competition increases.
