This year’s Lunar New Year’s Eve celebrations in China were truly a sight to behold, with a dazzling display of technological prowess that saw humanoid robots taking centre stage. These impressive machines executed a series of complex, coordinated martial arts and parkour routines, marking a significant leap forward in China’s rapidly advancing technological landscape.
The spectacle showcased several groundbreaking achievements. As captured in a video shared by CCTV, two dozen robots performed a series of never-before-seen feats. This included the first continuous freestyle table-vaulting parkour, the inaugural aerial flip, sustained single-leg flips, a unique two-step wall-assisted backflip, and an astonishing 7.5-rotation Airflare grand spin.
A Clear Evolution in Robotic Capability
The progress demonstrated by these robots is a stark contrast to their performance at last year’s gala. Back then, the humanoid robots presented a somewhat wobbly rendition of a folk dance, complete with handkerchiefs. This year, however, the machines exhibited a remarkable level of stability and fluidity, signalling a clear and substantial step forward in their development. This accelerated effort to build more capable, AI-powered robots with reduced human input is a key strategic focus for China.
Beyond the Spotlight: Implications and Concerns
While the Lunar New Year’s Eve gala provided a spectacular showcase, it also prompts important questions about the true advancement of these robots and whether their development warrants concern. Globally, companies are actively experimenting with humanoid robots in various industrial settings, including factories and warehouses. Some firms are even envisioning a future where these robots play a role in our homes.
The potential applications extend to the defence sector. Experts suggest that such machines could eventually find military utility.
Potential Military Applications
- Interaction with Human Infrastructure: The human-like or animal-like form of robots could be particularly advantageous for military and security organisations. This is especially true when they are required to interact with environments and structures designed for humans, such as navigating through cars, utilising stairs, and opening doors.
Hans Liwång, a professor in systems science for defence and security at the Swedish Defence University, noted that there is likely a place for such robots in military and security contexts.
However, Liwång also offered a crucial caution: the complexities of real-world deployment far exceed those of a meticulously staged performance. In military scenarios, the robot’s physical form becomes secondary to its “well-developed logic,” which is essential for operating effectively in unpredictable and dynamic environments.
Furthermore, Liwång advised against overinterpreting high-profile demonstrations, as they can also be viewed through the lens of state propaganda.
The Propaganda Lens
- Designed to Impress: Rehearsed, pre-planned, and controlled shows are primarily designed to impress an audience.
- Overstated Capabilities: Consequently, these displays are likely to overstate the actual capabilities of the technology being presented.
Europe’s Position in the Race
While Europe does not need to sound the alarm bells just yet, it certainly needs to pay close attention to the global advancements in humanoid robotics.
- Informed Awareness is Key: Europe must remain informed about international developments in this field.
- Learning from Others: The strategy should involve learning from the efforts and technical progress made by other nations, rather than starting from scratch.
These comments come at a time when the race for leadership in humanoid robotics increasingly appears to be dominated by China and the United States.
China’s Manufacturing Edge
A significant advantage for China in this burgeoning field is its sheer manufacturing scale and highly integrated supply chains. Experts describe China’s robotics value chain as being nearly vertically integrated, with substantial government support fuelling rapid scaling of production and driving down costs.
For instance, Unitree Robotics, whose machines were a prominent feature at the Spring Festival Gala, offers its G1 humanoid robot at a base price of approximately $13,500 (around €11,280).
In comparison, Tesla has yet to announce a commercial price for its Optimus robot. However, CEO Elon Musk indicated in a January 2025 earnings call that production costs could potentially drop below $20,000 (around €16,700) if annual output reaches one million units. This suggests that prices may remain elevated until large-scale manufacturing is achieved.
Data from a 2024 report by the International Federation of Robotics, a global industry association based in Germany, reinforces China’s dominant position. The report identified China as the world’s largest market for industrial robots, accounting for over half of all robot installations globally in 2024. This underscores the nation’s significant investment and rapid growth in robotic technology.
