At this year's Spring Festival Gala, a groundbreaking fusion of artificial intelligence and cultural heritage took center stage. Unitree Technology's Yang Bot, developed under the guidance of researcher Liu Jinda, mesmerized audiences by performing traditional Yangko dance moves with robotic precision and playful charm.
The project, described by Liu as "a bridge between innovation and tradition," integrates advanced AI algorithms with motion-capture data from veteran Yangko performers. The result is a seamless blend of centuries-old folk artistry and cutting-edge robotics, designed to engage younger generations while preserving cultural roots.
"Our goal wasn't to replace human dancers," Liu explained, "but to create new possibilities for cultural expression. The Yang Bot's movements maintain the dance's joyful essence while showcasing technological progress." The performance marked China's latest achievement in applying AI to cultural preservation efforts, following recent successes in digitizing ancient artifacts and revitalizing traditional crafts.
For global audiences, the innovation highlights Asia's unique position at the crossroads of technological advancement and cultural continuity—a dynamic increasingly relevant to investors tracking creative industries and researchers studying cultural evolution.
