China’s highly anticipated annual CCTV Spring Festival gala showcased the nation’s advanced industrial strategies and Beijing’s ambitions in humanoid robots and future manufacturing during the recent broadcast. The gala featured presentations from four emerging humanoid robot startups – Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab – in what is likened to the Super Bowl for China.
The event highlighted humanoid robots in various performances, including a martial arts demonstration where Unitree’s humanoids showcased intricate fight sequences alongside child performers. The program emphasized innovation in multi-robot coordination and fault recovery, such as robots getting up after falling down, mirroring China’s unique “drunken boxing” martial arts style.
Additionally, Bytedance’s AI chatbot Doubao and humanoid robots from Noetix and MagicLab were featured in comedy sketches and synchronized dances during the gala. The growing interest in China’s humanoid robot sector coincides with upcoming IPOs from industry leaders like AgiBot and Unitree, as well as the release of cutting-edge AI models by domestic startups during the Lunar New Year holiday.
China’s focus on humanoid robots aligns with its broader AI+ manufacturing strategy, leveraging automation to counteract challenges posed by an aging workforce. The country dominates the global humanoid robot market, accounting for 90% of shipments in 2025, with projections indicating significant sales growth in the coming years.
Renowned figures like Elon Musk have acknowledged China’s prowess in robotics, with Musk acknowledging Chinese companies as formidable competitors in the realm of embodied AI. This emphasis on humanoid robots not only showcases China’s technological advancements but also underscores its strategic positioning in the global robotics landscape.
