China used its most-watched television event, the CCTV Spring Festival gala, to spotlight its growing dominance in humanoid robotics and next-generation manufacturing.
Leading startups including Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab showcased advanced humanoid machines during the Lunar New Year broadcast, a national event comparable in cultural impact to the Super Bowl.
The robots took part in martial arts performances, synchronized dances and comedy sketches alongside human performers. One sequence featured humanoids executing complex “drunken boxing” moves, demonstrating advances in balance, coordination and recovery after falls.
The show also included ByteDance’s AI chatbot Doubao, reinforcing how artificial intelligence and robotics are being positioned together at the heart of China’s industrial strategy.
Behind the spectacle lies a deeper policy push. Beijing has placed humanoid robotics at the centre of its AI-driven manufacturing plans, aiming to offset demographic pressures from an ageing workforce while boosting productivity.
China already accounts for about 90% of global humanoid robot shipments, with industry forecasts suggesting rapid growth ahead. Major players such as Unitree are preparing for public listings, and analysts expect shipments to more than double this year.
