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- China's robot dancers – cool or disturbing?
China's robot dancers – cool or disturbing?
Plus: Apple still working on AR glasses?


Hey everyone, it’s Cosmo. Today, I’m reflecting on this uncanny robot performance at the Spring Festival Gala, an annual variety show produced by China Central Television (CCTV) for the Chinese New Year.
In a short video released by Unitree today, dozens of synchronized H1 humanoid robots dance alongside humans, masterfully spinning red silk cloths known as “Yangge.”
I have mixed feelings anytime I see videos of robots performing novel tricks like this. On the one hand, this is a truly remarkable feat of human engineering. There’s something quite cool about seeing robots do difficult performances.
On the other hand, I’m reminded of the common critique of generative AI – that offloading an artform once an expression of human heart and emotion to a empty machine strips the practice of its original meaning.
The robot revolution is inevitable, but I still find myself resisting it. Perhaps its the featureless faces that bother me. On the flip side, if they looked indistinguishable from humans, that would likely be even more disturbing.
How do you feel when you watch videos like this?
Unitree H1: Humanoid Robot Makes Its Debut at the Spring Festival Gala 🥰
Hello everyone, let me introduce myself again. I am Unitree H1 "Fuxi".
I am now a comedian at the Spring Festival Gala, hoping to bring joy to everyone.
Let’s push boundaries every day and shape the future… x.com/i/web/status/1…— Unitree (@UnitreeRobotics)
2:47 PM • Jan 28, 2025
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Thank you for reading. Till next week! 😊
Best,
Cosmo