Unitree's 49 Humanoid Robots Perform Martial Arts at Temple of Heaven

In a stunning display of technology and artistry, Unitree, the Chinese humanoid robotics company, exhibited 49 G1 humanoid robots performing synchronized martial arts at the iconic Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The performance took place in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and was showcased through a video released on the company's official WeChat account.

Entitled "WuBot's Pray at the Temple of Heaven," this captivating performance marks another significant event following the appearance of Unitree's humanoid robots at the Spring Festival Gala on February 16, highlighting advancements in large-scale robotic performances.

A representative from Unitree informed the Global Times that the martial arts demonstration was executed using a sophisticated cluster control platform, which the company independently developed and previously utilized in the Spring Festival Gala show. This platform enabled all 49 robots to perform identical movements in unison.

The robots were programmed to execute the routines autonomously, eliminating the need for remote manual control. Equipped with onboard algorithms, they could adjust their postures independently, allowing for real-time feedback and corrections. For example, if a robot failed to land correctly after a flip, it effectively recalibrated to maintain balance.

In the impressive 40-second video, viewers can witness the robots performing an array of synchronized martial arts moves, including punches, kicks, and complex flips. Notably, the video reassured viewers that what they were seeing were "real shots, not AI-generated" scenes.

Since its release, the video has gained significant traction on WeChat's short video platform, accumulating over 42,000 shares and more than 50,000 likes within a mere five hours. This enthusiastic reception underscores the public's fascination with advancements in robotics and technology.

Viewers have responded with comments reflecting on the surprising evolution of technology since the construction of historic Chinese architecture. One user commended the performance as a tribute to modern education and science, while others highlighted the growing prevalence of robotic formations following earlier drone swarm demonstrations.

The video was also shared on Unitree's official account on X, where users expressed admiration for the coordination and camerawork displayed in the demonstration. Comments ranged from appreciation of the robots' capabilities to insightful observations about the technical aspects of balance and control.

In an official statement to the Global Times, Unitree elaborated on the technology behind the performance, noting that each robot is equipped with 3D LiDAR sensors for real-time stage scanning and localization. A central control station could efficiently assign movement sequences, while the robots undertook self-monitoring throughout.

The company acknowledged the technical challenge of upgrading their cluster control platform to coordinate a large number of robots simultaneously, emphasizing the sophisticated integration of networking, operating systems, and software engineering. Enhancements were made to the LiDAR-based localization algorithm to increase both accuracy and reliability in response to dynamic stage conditions.

Looking ahead, Unitree identified potential real-world applications for their technology, suggesting uses in multi-robot collaboration scenarios, such as inspections and warehouse sorting. Their compliant control capabilities could assist in precision assembly and heavy-load handling, while relative localization technology could provide effective navigation solutions in complex environments.