A Shocking Moment During a Martial Arts Show in China
A disturbing incident occurred during a martial arts show in China when a humanoid robot, wearing a clown wig, kicked a child in the stomach. The event took place at Urumqi Botanical Garden in Xinjiang, where the robot was demonstrating unique martial arts moves to an audience of onlookers.
The robot, dressed with an afro wig, performed a series of martial arts techniques. As the crowd filmed the performance, the robot shifted into a fighting stance and executed a spinning roundhouse kick. This unexpected move struck a young boy directly in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain before falling backward into the crowd.
After the kick, the robot stumbled backwards but quickly regained its balance and continued with the performance. The video of this incident went viral online, sparking discussions about the increasing presence of AI-powered robots.
Some commenters expressed concerns about the potential dangers of such technology. One person wrote: “Very soon we will be attacked by these robots cause I don’t really know why China is just so enthusiastic about making these robots.” Another added: “Why are humans so hell bent on destroying themselves. Who needs these.”
This is not the first time a robot has been seen performing martial arts moves. In February, dozens of robots took part in the CCTV Spring Festival gala, one of China’s most-watched TV shows. Wearing red vests, the robots performed kicks, flips, and even used nunchucks, swords, and poles. Their daring performance took place near human children performers.
Four humanoid robot startups—Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab—demonstrated their products at the gala. During Unitree’s segment, dozens of its G1 robots took to the stage, clad in what the company calls the ‘Monkey King’s heavy armor.’ The fight sequences included a technically ambitious one that imitated the wobbly moves and backward falls of China’s ‘drunken boxing’ martial arts style.
This particular sequence allowed Unitree to showcase its innovations in multi-robot coordination and fault recovery—where a robot can get up after falling down. The company claimed that the G1 robots achieved the world’s first fully autonomous humanoid robot cluster Kung Fu performance, pushing motion limits and setting multiple world firsts.
The G1 humanoid robot weighs 35 kilograms (77lbs), stands at 1.32 metres (4.33ft) tall, and boasts 23 degrees of freedom in its joints, which gives it more mobility than an average human.
China recently rolled out a nationwide initiative designed to assign every domestically produced humanoid robot a unique digital identity. State broadcaster CCTV revealed that the initiative, known as the Humanoid Full Lifecycle Management Service Platform, will track robots from manufacturing and deployment through to retirement and recycling.
Robots in Entertainment and Service
The use of robots for entertainment and service is becoming more common in parts of China. For example, the machines, supplied by Chinese firm Keenon Robotics, were deployed as part of a trial in Shanghai. These robots hint at a future where bots handle routine tasks at fast food restaurants.
In videos posted online, diners can be seen interacting with cyborgs dressed in the iconic red and yellow uniforms behind counters. One humanoid, wearing a black uniform with the word ‘chef,’ greets members of the public as they arrive. Others make the famous ‘M’ sign synonymous with the brand and showcase some dancing moves.
Meanwhile, children can be seen chasing other robots disguised as cute animals as they deliver food and clean floors around the restaurant.
