Fun or fearsome? China's dancing robots show off tech prowess

Dancing humanoid robots took centre stage on Monday during the annual China Media Group's Spring Festival Gala, China's most watched official TV broadcast.

- Maya Yang

They lunged and backflipped (landing on their knees). Not one fell over.

The display was impressive, but prompted some to wonder: if robots can now dance and perform martial arts, what else can they do? Experts have mixed opinions, with some saying the robots had limitations and that the display should be viewed through a lens of state propaganda.

Developed by several Chinese robotics firms, the robots performed a range of intricate stunts, including kung fu, comedy sketches and dance moves alongside human performers.

Clips circulating online drew comparisons with last year's lunar new year broadcast, which also featured dancing robots but with noticeably simpler movements.

Kyle Chan, an expert in China's technology development at Brookings Institution, a policy organisation in Washington DC, said Beijing uses these public robot performances to "dazzle domestic and international audiences with China's technological prowess".