BEIJING — In an innovative fusion of tradition and technology, Chinese humanoid robots are preparing to take center stage during Lunar New Year celebrations. Four 95-centimeter-tall robots recently conducted dress rehearsals at a Beijing shopping mall, captivating audiences while performing intricate lion dances in colorful costumes.
The annual technology fair, returning for its second consecutive year, will feature significantly expanded robotic demonstrations. According to Qiu Feng, a member of the organizing committee, this year’s event will include substantially more robots performing diverse cultural acts including traditional dance, martial arts, Peking Opera, poetry recitals, and soccer matches.
Chinese startups including Booster Robotics are driving these technological advancements. The company plans to display approximately 20 humanoid robots capable of autonomous decision-making without remote control intervention. “Once the whistle sounds, all decision-making and motion control are handled by the robots themselves,” explained Ren Zixin, Marketing Director at Booster Robotics.
While the robots demonstrate improved precision and more sophisticated movements compared to previous years, human assistance remains essential for tasks like costuming and repositioning when robots halt unexpectedly during performances.
China continues to intensify its development of artificial intelligence-powered robotics, focusing on reducing human intervention while expanding capabilities. The Lunar New Year technology fair serves as both public entertainment and a demonstration of China’s rapidly evolving robotics sector, showcasing machines that can perform activities ranging from stacking blocks to preparing traditional sweets like syrup-coated hawthorn berry skewers.