Chinese robot makers ready for Lunar New Year spotlight

In China, humanoid robots are serving as Lunar New Year entertainment, with their manufacturers pitching their song-and-dance skills to the general public as well as potential customers, investors and government officials.

- QIAOYI LI KEVIN KROLICKI

A Unitree Robotics humanoid robot takes part in the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing in August.

(REUTERS)

On Sunday, Shanghai-based robotics startup Agibot live-streamed an almost hour-long variety show featuring its robots dancing, performing acrobatics and magic, lip-syncing ballads and performing in comedy sketches. Other Agibot humanoid robots waved from an audience section.

An estimated 1.4 million people watched on the Chinese streaming platform Douyin. Agibot, which called the promotional stunt “the world’s first robot-powered gala,” did not have an immediate estimate for total viewership.