China’s humanoid robots dazzle at Spring Festival Sparking global debate on tech rivalry

In its recent article, Global Times unveils that China's technological advancements, particularly in the field of robotics, have been drawing significant attention both domestically and internationally. 

In a remarkable display of advanced technology and cultural heritage, China's humanoid robots captivated domestic audiences at this year’s Spring Festival Gala and sparked widespread discussion in international media. Some US outlets viewed the development as a sign of growing competition between China and the US in the tech sector.

Following the rise of the DeepSeek AI trend, 16 robots from Unitree Robotics impressed audiences by performing intricate dances alongside human performers, quickly going viral on global social media. The humanoid H1 robots demonstrated remarkable agility, mimicking human movements and twirling handkerchiefs.

Unitree shared with the Global Times that these robots are powered by AI-driven full-body motion control, offering a maximum joint torque of 360 newton meters and 360° panoramic depth perception for precise movement tracking. Advanced AI algorithms allow the robots to interpret music and synchronize their movements in real-time. Moreover, high-precision 3D laser SLAM technology provides them with accurate navigation capabilities in complex environments.

Spain-based Euro Weekly News commented in an article that, "now, the US and Europe are looking closely at China and their ever-evolving tech breakthroughs, what with DeepSeek trumping anything the rest of the world has to offer in AI, and Elon Musk's Optimus robot gingerly walking like it was scared of tripping over, the AI-powered H1s danced nimbly and safely in unison and with the human dancers."

Indian media outlet India Today similarly noted that the release of DeepSeek and the H1 robots demonstrates "China's growing presence in the global AI and robotics space." The report also suggested that this growing presence in AI could "pose a threat to the US market."

US journalist Ben Norton shared the robotics dance video on X, commenting, "China now has dancing robots - in addition to producing better AI than US Big Tech corporations, for much cheaper, and open source. This is why the US is waging an economic war and tech war on China. The US doesn't want any competition to its monopolies."

Some US media outlets have expressed concerns about the potential military applications of robots in future warfare. Business Insider reported that in addition to the H1 robots featured at the Spring Festival, Unitree has also developed other machines, including four-legged, dog-like robots.

Comparisons have also been made between China's humanoid robots and other robotics projects worldwide, particularly Elon Musk's Optimus robot. Some users pointed out that while Optimus is still in development and struggles with basic movements, China's robots were already executing complex dance routines with ease.

One user on X humorously remarked, "While Musk's robot is still learning to walk, China's robots are already dancing like pros," as noted in the report.

As some US media outlets express heightened attention to the growing China-US technology competition, the expert emphasized that the US must come to terms with the fact that China has already surpassed it in certain technological areas.

Xiang highlighted that the US is likely to take prompt measures to obstruct China's technological progress. However, he believes such efforts will have minimal impact on the country's rapid development.

According to Economic Daily, as of July 2024, China holds over 190,000 valid patents related to robotics, making up about two-thirds of the global total. This significant patent portfolio provides a strong foundation for the continued growth of China's robotics industry. Despite facing various pressures from the US, China has not been deterred. Instead, the expert asserted, the country will remain resolute in its commitment to driving technological innovation.

By Naila Huseynova