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The world’s most watched TV show had dancing robots
Ubtech’s Walker performed in China’s Spring Festival Gala
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This article originally appeared on ABACUS
We’ve seen robots twerking to Uptown Funk, or gyrating on stripper poles in high heels. Now they’ve taken the stage during the most watched TV show on Earth.
Just weeks after Ubtech’s Walker showed off its butler skill by serving drinks and opening doors for human attendees at CES, the humanoid traded the show floor for the dance floor at China’s annual Lunar New Year Gala.
The variety extravaganza, airing on state network CCTV every Chinese New Year’s Eve, draws hundreds of millions of viewers. This year around, between patriotic musicals and acrobat spectacles, six Walker robots moved to the beat alongside human dancers in a two-minute performance.
Ubtech, which sells a range of robot toys like this US$150 Star Wars Stormtrooper, is based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen (with offices in Los Angeles as well). The Walker is their newest product: Almost 5 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, it’s a droid that Ubtech hopes will “one day be an indispensable part of your family”.
Right now, the Walker can grab you a can of Pringles, fetch you an umbrella, or take your bag once you get home. It’s equipped with facial recognition so that it knows it was you who asked for booze, not your young daughter. It can also control smart home appliances.
Before joining the Post in 2018, Karen was a writer and associate producer at CNN International, where she contributed to the award-winning Asia flagship show News Stream. She is a graduate of Duke University and University of Hong Kong.
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