China's Spring Festival Gala has once again captivated a global audience, setting a new record with a total reach of 16.8 billion across all media platforms. This year's gala seamlessly blended traditional art with cutting-edge technology, showcasing a remarkable fusion that highlights China's innovative spirit.
Among the numerous high-tech solutions integrated into the event were ultra-high definition displays, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, 3D vision, and 3D audio. Many of these technologies were employed for the first time in the gala's over 40-year history, bringing a new dimension to the celebration.
Humanoid Robots Dance Alongside Humans
The most eye-catching performance of the night was undoubtedly the robot dance titled \"Yangge Bot.\" Directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou in collaboration with China's leading robotics company Unitree, the performance featured 16 humanoid robots dancing alongside 16 human performers. Together, they showcased the traditional Yangko dance—a vibrant folk art form from Northeast China—infused with cutting-edge technology.
The 16 humanoid robots belong to Unitree's H1 series, launched in August 2023. Standing at 1.8 meters tall and weighing 47 kilograms, these robots made their stage debut at the Spring Festival Gala just over a year after their introduction. They had also appeared at the NVIDIA GTC conference in 2024.
To deliver a flawless performance, the robots underwent three months of intensive rehearsal. Their movements were meticulously designed through AI training to meet the dance's requirements. Utilizing laser SLAM technology for precise positioning and automated formation changes, the robots overcame challenges such as gaps in the stage floor, demonstrating the advanced capabilities of China's robotics industry.
Unitree completed the first commercial delivery of the H1 series in October 2023, with each robot priced at around 650,000 yuan (approximately $90,000). In May 2024, the company introduced the G1 series, a smaller model standing at 1.27 meters tall and weighing about 35 kilograms, with a starting price of 99,000 yuan.
This isn't Unitree's first appearance at the Spring Festival Gala. In 2021, the company's quadruped robots shared the stage as dance partners for famed performer Andy Lau, marking the beginning of a tradition that marries technology with cultural expression.
The rise of China's AI model, DeepSeek, has also garnered significant attention for its innovative and resource-efficient approach to AI development. Together with the technological advancements showcased at the Spring Festival Gala, China continues to position itself at the forefront of global innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
