China’s Embodied-AI Companies Showcase Dancing and Fighting Robots at CES

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At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Chinese robotics companies like Unitree Robotics and AgiBot showcased their latest innovations in embodied artificial intelligence. Visitors witnessed robots engaging in battles, performing aerobics, dancing, and even handing out business cards.

Many of these Chinese robotics startups are attending the event for the first time, aiming to secure international orders and establish a foothold in new global markets. A representative from one of these companies mentioned that the robotics industry still faces significant challenges due to a lack of advanced infrastructure and hardware. “Even foreign robotics firms rely heavily on Chinese supply chains for hardware manufacturing,” they noted.

One highlight was two humanoid robots from Unitree G1, equipped with protective gear as they engaged in an intense fight in the ring. The scene drew excitement as one robot nearly got knocked out of the booth during the demonstration.

Another notable display was a full-body humanoid robot named Qiyuan Q1, developed by Swancor Advanced Materials. The robot demonstrated its force-controlled capabilities, impressing visitors, with one remarking that this was the first time they’d seen such a robot and calling China’s innovative robots “cool and adorable.”

Booster Robotics presented their Booster K1 robot performing the traditional Chinese lion dance, captivating audiences with its lively movements.

A prototype of a compact desktop robot called Care-Bot was shown by Shanghai-based Fourier. The tiny robot, roughly the size of a doll, can be customized in appearance and personality, supporting interactive features.

Vbot introduced Big Head Bobo, a consumer-grade robot dog capable of engaging with people in English. It offers features like intelligent navigation and autonomous following without remote control — a real crowd-pleaser. Bobo can reach speeds of up to 13.3 km/h and carry loads of up to 12 kg. The company is working on a global version of Bobo, which is expected to debut in North America, Europe, and the Middle East sometime in the second quarter of this year.