In a landmark fusion of sports and technology, humanoid robot Kuavo became the first 5G-Advanced enabled android to participate in the 15th National Games torch relay earlier this November. The Shenzhen-developed machine carried its 1.6kg torch through complex terrain while streaming real-time HD footage to engineers, marking a new milestone in China's robotics innovation.
Lejoin Intelligence partner Cao Yu revealed to Sports Scene how technical partnerships with the Harbin Institute of Technology and Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence enabled critical breakthroughs. "We refined motion control algorithms to enhance disturbance resistance," Cao explained, noting engineers monitored operations remotely via 5G-A networks rather than following physically.
The mass-produced Kuavo model – named after the mythological sun-chaser Kua Fu – underwent rigorous optimization for the high-profile event. "Every system was fine-tuned to eliminate failure risks," Cao emphasized, describing the relay as both a technical showcase and symbolic demonstration of China's tech vision. "This bridges advanced technologies with public applications, showing how innovation serves broader societal scenarios."
Observers highlight the achievement's timing as China accelerates its robotics industry development. With 5G-Advanced enabling real-time control systems, such demonstrations suggest growing commercial viability for humanoid robots in logistics, emergency response, and public service roles.
