In a remarkable showcase of technological prowess and cultural appreciation, 16 humanoid robots from China's robotics company Unitree took the stage at the annual Spring Festival Gala. This event, a staple in Chinese culture, saw the robots performing the traditional Yangko dance, a lively folk art form native to northeast China, in perfect synchrony with 16 human dancers.

One of the highlights of the performance was the robots' impressive manipulation of handkerchiefs, which are integral to the Yangko dance. These humanoids utilized their mechanical arms to toss and twirl the handkerchiefs overhead, creating a stunning visual spectacle that exemplified the fusion of time-honored tradition with modern technology.

Maintaining a stable upright position poses a significant challenge for contemporary humanoid robots. For context, Elon Musk's Optimus has demonstrated unsteady steps and a propensity to topple, especially on uneven surfaces. The complexity of throwing and catching a handkerchief requires advanced integration of sensors, algorithms, and intelligent design.

A representative from Unitree explained their innovative design, stating, "We've conceived a sophisticated mechanism that incorporates multiple AI control algorithms. The robotic arm is equipped with two motors: one facilitates high-speed spinning, while the other manages the throwing and retraction of the handkerchief."

The robots showcased at the gala are part of Unitree's H1 series, named Fuxi, boasting a height of 1.8 meters and a weight of 47 kilograms. Their performance marked over a year since their debut in August 2023, and they had previously participated in the NVIDIA GTC conference in 2024.

To prepare for their dance performance, the robots underwent three months of intensive rehearsals, where their movements were carefully choreographed to adhere to the dance's requirements. AI training was employed for fine-tuning, and laser SLAM technology was utilized for accurate positioning and automated adjustments, effectively addressing challenges such as stage floor irregularities.

Unitree made headlines with the first commercial release of the H1 series in October 2023, pricing each robot at approximately 650,000 yuan, or about 90,000 USD. Following this, the company introduced the G1 series in May 2024, which stands 1.27 meters tall and weighs about 35 kilograms, starting at a price point of 99,000 yuan.

This is not the first instance of Unitree's robots gracing the Spring Festival Gala; in 2021, their quadruped models performed as dance partners for the renowned singer Andy Lau, further highlighting Unitree's commitment to integrating robotics within the realm of cultural performances.