US EditionChinese Humanoid Robots Perform Kung Fu at World's Most-Watched TV Gala
Unitree Robotics showcased multiple world-first autonomous kung fu moves with over a dozen humanoid robots performing coordinated martial arts at China’s top Lunar New Year gala.
- On Monday at 8 p.m., the 2026 Spring Festival Gala aired as a multimedia event blending technology, ordinary people, and star performances, including Li Jian and Faye Wong.
- As a long-running ritual, Chunwan serves as a modern symbol of family reunion and cultural heritage, launched to provide a shared festive experience and broadcast live since 1983.
- Demonstrations included technically ambitious robot routines as four rising humanoid start-ups — Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab — showcased robots, with Unitree performing martial arts and Bytedance's AI chatbot Doubao opening the program.
- Pre-New Year events extended Chunwan's reach to the U.S., Russia, France, Italy and Africa, with imagery on landmarks from London to Auckland, while millions still watch the gala together; CCTV drew 79 percent of live TV viewership in China last year.
- China's industry context shows it accounted for 90 percent of the roughly 13,000 humanoid robots shipped globally last year and the gala highlights an AI+ manufacturing strategy with high-level visibility as Unitree founder met President Xi Jinping.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Designed by the Chinese company Unitee, these "dancers robos" were, on Monday, February 16, the stars of the "Spring Gala" 2026, the country's most watched television show, broadcast on the occasion of the lunar New Year.
Humanoid robots at Spring Festival Gala grab headlines, showcasing China's tech leap in just one year
The dazzling performances by humanoid robots at China's 2026 Spring Festival Gala made headlines on multiple overseas media outlets, and their video clips flooded social media platforms within hours.
Humanoids have been the protagonists of the most popular TV show in China and today, bringing into the digital world also the traditions of New Year's Eve, has become a showcase of Beijing's technological race. Millionaire investments and competition among digital giants respond to the goal of bringing robots into factories and offices.
China showcases humanoid robots at Spring Festival gala
Four rising humanoid robot startups - Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab - demonstrated their products at the gala, a televised event and touchstone for China comparable to the Super Bowl for the United States.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
