The event became the talk of the town overnight as an army of intelligent humanoid robots took the stage at China's 2026 Spring Festival Gala, showcasing skills from martial arts to household tasks, underscoring the rapid growth of the robotics and AI industry on the grand night celebrating the Year of the Horse.
The army of humanoid robots equipped with advanced artificial intelligence systems became one of the most astonishing acts at China's annual Spring Festival Gala 2026 on Monday night (16 Feb), dazzling the audience with novel presentations and impressive physical abilities.
This gala was organized by China Media Group (CMG), primarily to spotlight China's latest technological innovations, especially the rapidly growing robotics sector, integrated seamlessly into several hours of entertainment performances.
The humanoid robots performed in various forms, including martial arts dances, comedic roles, and many other creative acts. One of the most memorable scenes featured the robots teaming up with young Kung Fu warriors to demonstrate precisely choreographed fighting skills, captivating the entire audience.
Beyond strength, these robots also displayed delicate daily life skills such as folding clothes and rolling walnuts in the palm—a traditional Chinese hand exercise believed to promote health and finger dexterity.
The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people worldwide. Watching the Spring Festival Gala, known as "Chunwan," is an integral part of the celebrations for hundreds of millions of Chinese households each year.
Since its first broadcast in 1983, the gala has been recorded by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program globally. Additionally, the Spring Festival was inscribed in December 2024 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.
The 2026 Spring Festival falls on Tuesday (17 Feb), marking the official start of the "Year of the Horse."
Four rising humanoid robotics startups—Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab—brought their products to this event, a significant cultural occasion in China comparable in influence to the United States' Super Bowl.
According to research firm Omdia, China accounted for 90 percent of humanoid robot exports worldwide, shipping about 13,000 units last year, far outpacing competitors including Tesla's Optimus robot. Morgan Stanley forecasts that China's humanoid robot sales will more than double to 28,000 units this year.