As China prepares to welcome the Lunar New Year, it’s not only people gearing up for the festivities — robots are joining the celebration as well.
On Friday, four small humanoid robots, each standing about 95 centimeters (3 feet) tall, rehearsed at a shopping mall in western Beijing, drawing the attention of curious shoppers.
Dressed in bright lion dance costumes, the robots quickly began performing: bending their knees, shifting left and right, lifting up, shaking their masks, and repeating the sequence in rhythm.
With the Lunar New Year approaching next week, venues across Beijing are busy preparing stages and decorations for a series of holiday fairs and events.
For the second consecutive year, one fair will highlight technology, with robots once again playing a leading role.
Visitors will be able to watch the robots dance, stack blocks into small towers, skewer syrup-coated hawthorn berries — a traditional sweet treat — and even play soccer.
Qiu Feng, a member of the organizing committee, said the number of participating robots has grown significantly this year. They are set to showcase a range of performances, including dance, martial arts, Peking Opera, poetry recitals and soccer matches.
While some activities were featured last year, Qiu noted that this year’s robots demonstrate smoother movements and a stronger high-tech feel.
China has been intensifying efforts to develop more advanced robots capable of performing diverse tasks with the help of artificial intelligence and reduced human control.
Despite their progress, the robots still rely on human assistance at times — such as for dressing them or repositioning them if they stop unexpectedly during a mini soccer game.
Qiu added that as technology advances rapidly, the fair aims to keep pace and continue evolving alongside these innovations.
The robots appearing at the mall were created by Chinese startups, including Booster Robotics. The company plans to present around 20 humanoid robots that will perform dances and play soccer.
Ren Zixin, marketing director at Booster Robotics, explained that the robots operate in an AI-driven environment. Once a whistle signals the start, remote controls are set aside, and the robots independently handle their own decision-making and movement.