Robots Take the Stage at China’s Spring Festival Gala
Listen to the full version
Four Chinese robotics companies have signed deals to showcase their technology at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, seizing the world’s most-watched television event to pitch their humanoid machines to a nationwide audience.
The high-profile exposure underscores the fast-paced commercialization of China’s robotics sector. Backed by deep-pocketed investors, startups are racing to turn embodied artificial intelligence from lab concepts into consumer-ready products. The companies — Noetix Robotics, Unitree Robotics, Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd. and MagicLab — offer a range of innovations from four-legged robot dogs to bipedal humanoids capable of performing sophisticated tasks.
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
- Four Chinese robotics firms—Noetix, Unitree, Galbot, and MagicLab—will showcase humanoid robots at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, the world's most-watched TV event.
- Noetix and Galbot recently raised nearly 200 million yuan and over $300 million, respectively, while Unitree filed for an IPO in July 2025.
- The 2025 gala had a record 16.8 billion views, up 18.3% from the previous year.
- Noetix Robotics
- Noetix Robotics is a Chinese robotics company that will showcase its technology at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala. They focus on cost-efficiency, launching a backflip-capable robot for $5,728 and a humanoid model "Bumi" for under 10,000 yuan, aimed at family education. They recently secured nearly 200 million yuan in a Pre-B+ funding round and almost 300 million yuan in a Pre-B round.
- Unitree Robotics
- Unitree Robotics, based in Hangzhou, is set to make its third appearance at the Spring Festival Gala, following viral fame from its 2025 performance. Known for its robotic ox "Benben" in 2021, the company filed for an IPO on July 18, 2025, received listing approval on November 15, and opened a Beijing flagship store with JD.com on December 31.
- Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd.
- Beijing Galbot Co. Ltd., founded in 2023, has been selected as a large model embodied robot partner for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala. They operate "Galaxy Space Capsule" kiosks in Beijing and Chengdu, offering coffee and item retrieval services with their humanoid robots. Galbot also provides robot-powered logistics in major cities. The company raised over $300 million in December 2025, reaching a post-investment valuation of $3 billion.
- MagicLab
- MagicLab is one of four Chinese robotics companies showcasing their technology at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala. They announced their partnership on January 23. Their product portfolio includes humanoid robots, four-legged companions, and nimble robotic hands. Their full-size humanoid robot, "Xiaomai," debuted in September 2025 on CCTV-13.
- July 18, 2025：
- Unitree Robotics filed for an initial public offering.
- September 2025：
- MagicLab's full-size humanoid robot 'Xiaomai' debuted on CCTV-13.
- October 2025：
- Noetix Robotics completed a Pre-B funding round of almost 300 million yuan.
- Nov. 26, 2025：
- Noetix Robotics completed a Pre-B+ funding round worth nearly 200 million yuan.
- December 2025：
- Galbot raised over $300 million in a new funding round.
- January 23, 2026：
- MagicLab announced its partnership with the 2026 Spring Festival Gala.
- January 25, 2026：
- China Central Television announced Galbot as the 2026 gala’s large model embodied robot partner.
- January 29, 2026：
- Noetix Robotics announced its selection as a humanoid robot partner for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala.
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新