At China’s Spring Festival Gala, Robotics Becomes Big Business

Four Chinese robotics companies seized the spotlight at this year’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala, showcasing kung fu-performing humanoids and a lifelike robotic double of a well-known actress in a prime-time display of the industry’s rapid advances.

The nationally televised performances on Feb. 16, Lunar New Year’s Eve, featured products from Noetix Robotics, Unitree Robotics, MagicLab and Galbot. The robots danced, appeared in comedy sketches and starred in a short film, sharing the stage with A-list celebrities before an audience of hundreds of millions.