China's Spring Festival showcased advanced humanoid robots in a spectacular state television show, highlighting the booming industry behind their production but raising questions about market demand.
The Chinese Spring Festival, celebrated with immense cultural significance, serves not only as a festive occasion but as a demonstration of national strength. During the elaborate four-hour televised gala, a variety of performances ranging from military parades to high-tech spectacles dazzle the audience, with this year's show featuring a standout act of humanoid robots performing intricate choreographies with swords. These robots, introduced as part of the entertainment, symbolize the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly within China, and highlight the growing global attention toward this emerging technology.
According to corporate reports and estimates from Omdia, there has been a remarkable surge in the production of humanoid robots, with over 14,500 units shipped worldwide in 2025, compared to around 3,000 in 2024. This boom is overwhelmingly dominated by Chinese companies, with Agibot and Unitree together accounting for approximately three-quarters of the global production. Such figures underline the significant investment and innovation occurring in China's robotics industry, which is at the forefront of technology development on a global scale.
However, despite this impressive growth, there is a looming concern regarding market uptake and consumer demand for humanoid robots. The spectacular showcase raises the question of practical utility outside of entertainment contexts, as companies like Tesla have only managed to ship a fraction of the expected demand. As the industry evolves, stakeholders will need to consider who the actual consumers of these advanced robots will be and how they will fit into everyday life, as their utility beyond performances remains uncertain.
