China’s annual CCTV Spring Festival gala, the country’s most-watched TV show, highlighted cutting-edge industrial policies and Beijing’s endeavor to lead in humanoid robots and advanced manufacturing during a recent broadcast. At the event, four emerging humanoid robot startups, namely Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab, showcased their innovative products. The gala, akin to the Super Bowl in the United States, featured humanoid robots prominently in its initial sketches, with Unitree robots engaging in intricate martial arts displays alongside human performers.
The humanoid robots exhibited remarkable coordination and fault recovery capabilities, including mimicking the unique movements of China’s “drunken boxing” martial arts style. Additionally, AI chatbot Doubao from Bytedance and humanoid robots from Noetix and MagicLab took center stage in various performances during the show. The heightened interest in China’s humanoid robot sector coincides with upcoming initial public offerings by industry giants like AgiBot and Unitree and the launch of cutting-edge AI models by local startups during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Last year’s gala amazed viewers with Unitree humanoids dancing in sync with humans, leading to the founder’s meeting with President Xi Jinping. Xi’s notable interactions with robotics startup founders underscore the sector’s growing prominence, with China’s efforts in humanoid robotics gaining global attention. The CCTV Spring Festival gala, renowned for showcasing Beijing’s technological ambitions, has become a platform for promoting China’s advancements in various sectors, including space exploration, drones, and robotics.
China’s emphasis on robotics and AI aligns with its strategy to enhance manufacturing through automation, leveraging its strengths in AI capabilities, hardware supply chains, and manufacturing ambitions. China dominated the global humanoid robot market last year, accounting for 90% of shipments, with projections indicating a substantial increase in sales this year. Industry experts recognize China’s prowess in this field, with Elon Musk acknowledging Chinese companies as formidable competitors in the humanoid robot space.
Overall, China’s strides in humanoid robotics not only reflect its technological advancements but also signal its strategic positioning in the global AI and manufacturing landscape.