Exploring the Secrets of China's Humanoid Robot Dance: Unveiling the Method Behind Catching Handkerchiefs
Explore the fascinating story behind China's humanoid robot dance and discover the mechanics that enabled these robots to catch handkerchiefs seamlessly. Dive into the technology and innovation that powers their impressive performances.
TroibNews 
In a remarkable showcase of technological advancement, 16 humanoid robots from the Chinese robotics firm, Unitree, captivated audiences during the annual Spring Festival Gala on Tuesday night. The robots adeptly coordinated with 16 human dancers to perform a traditional Yangko dance, a lively folk art form originating from northeast China, merging cultural tradition with state-of-the-art technology.
A particularly striking moment occurred when the robots demonstrated their skill in manipulating handkerchiefs, a hallmark of the Yangko dance. With their precisely engineered mechanical arms, the robots sent the handkerchiefs spinning and soaring through the air, creating a stunning visual display that represented a harmonious blend of heritage and modern innovation.
Maintaining a stable upright position presents a significant challenge for contemporary humanoid robots—just think of the unsteady steps and propensity to tumble down even minor slopes evident in Elon Musk's Optimus. The act of tossing a handkerchief and successfully catching it again demands the integration of sensors, sophisticated algorithms, and intelligent design.
"We've designed a very clever mechanism that integrates multiple AI control algorithms. At the end of the robotic arm, there are two motors: one maintains a high-speed spinning motion, while the other ensures that the handkerchief can be thrown out and then retracted," a marketing representative from Unitree explained to CN.
The humanoid robots showcased at the gala belong to Unitree’s H1 series, affectionately named Fuxi. Each stands 1.8 meters tall and weighs 47 kilograms, making their appearance on the Spring Festival Gala stage more than a year after their initial reveal in August 2023. They had earlier participated in the NVIDIA GTC conference in 2024.
To guarantee an impressive performance, the robots engaged in three months of rigorous "rehearsal," with their movements carefully choreographed to fulfill dance specifications and executed via AI training. They employed laser SLAM for accurate positioning and automatic formation adjustments, successfully addressing challenges such as uneven stage surfaces.
Unitree completed the inaugural commercial delivery of the H1 series in October 2023, with each unit priced at approximately 650,000 yuan. In May 2024, the company launched the G1 series, which stands at 1.27 meters tall, weighs around 35 kilograms, and starts at a price of 99,000 yuan.
This is not the first time Unitree's robots have made an appearance at the Spring Festival Gala; in 2021, their quadruped robots performed as dance partners for renowned singer Andy Lau.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
A particularly striking moment occurred when the robots demonstrated their skill in manipulating handkerchiefs, a hallmark of the Yangko dance. With their precisely engineered mechanical arms, the robots sent the handkerchiefs spinning and soaring through the air, creating a stunning visual display that represented a harmonious blend of heritage and modern innovation.
Maintaining a stable upright position presents a significant challenge for contemporary humanoid robots—just think of the unsteady steps and propensity to tumble down even minor slopes evident in Elon Musk's Optimus. The act of tossing a handkerchief and successfully catching it again demands the integration of sensors, sophisticated algorithms, and intelligent design.
"We've designed a very clever mechanism that integrates multiple AI control algorithms. At the end of the robotic arm, there are two motors: one maintains a high-speed spinning motion, while the other ensures that the handkerchief can be thrown out and then retracted," a marketing representative from Unitree explained to CN.
The humanoid robots showcased at the gala belong to Unitree’s H1 series, affectionately named Fuxi. Each stands 1.8 meters tall and weighs 47 kilograms, making their appearance on the Spring Festival Gala stage more than a year after their initial reveal in August 2023. They had earlier participated in the NVIDIA GTC conference in 2024.
To guarantee an impressive performance, the robots engaged in three months of rigorous "rehearsal," with their movements carefully choreographed to fulfill dance specifications and executed via AI training. They employed laser SLAM for accurate positioning and automatic formation adjustments, successfully addressing challenges such as uneven stage surfaces.
Unitree completed the inaugural commercial delivery of the H1 series in October 2023, with each unit priced at approximately 650,000 yuan. In May 2024, the company launched the G1 series, which stands at 1.27 meters tall, weighs around 35 kilograms, and starts at a price of 99,000 yuan.
This is not the first time Unitree's robots have made an appearance at the Spring Festival Gala; in 2021, their quadruped robots performed as dance partners for renowned singer Andy Lau.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
