Xiamen’s 2026 Spring Festival celebrations made history this week as humanoid robots took center stage, performing intricate traditional dances alongside human artists. The technological marvels from Fujian Province’s innovation hubs demonstrated fluid movements mimicking lion dance routines and lantern festival parades, drawing cheers from packed crowds at Zhongshan Road pedestrian street.
"This fusion of AI and cultural heritage shows how tradition evolves," said Chen Wei, a Xiamen resident attending with her family. The robots’ precise coordination and LED-enhanced costumes created mesmerizing visual spectacles while maintaining authentic festival symbolism.
Local tech firms developed these performers over 18 months, utilizing advanced motion-capture systems to replicate traditional Minnan dance forms. The demonstration comes as China’s robotics industry reports 22% year-on-year growth, with entertainment applications becoming a key investment focus.
Cultural preservationists note the innovation could help engage younger generations, while business analysts highlight growing opportunities in Asia’s cultural technology sector. As night fell, robot dragon dancers twirled under drone-lit skies – a vivid snapshot of Asia’s dynamic blend of past and future.
