Developer discusses significance of robot Kuavo's National Games torch relay debut

Earlier this month, the world's first humanoid robot equipped with 5G-Advanced technology, which goes by the name Kuavo, participated in the torch relay for the 15th National Games in Shenzhen. 

Cao Yu, a partner at Shenzhen‑based Lejoin Intelligence, told Sports Scene's Mike Fox that Kuavo's appearance rested on a patchwork of technical partnerships and iterative tuning.

"In collaboration with the Harbin Institute of Technology and the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, we optimized the robot's running motion control algorithm," said Cao, crediting those advances with markedly improving disturbance resistance and the robot's ability to handle complex terrain.  

That stability mattered: Kuavo ran naturally while bearing a 1.6‑kilogram torch. The other ingredient was the network. Using a 5G‑A link, Lejoin established a high‑speed data channel that streamed high‑definition, first‑person footage from the robot back to technicians in real time.  

That feed, Cao explained, allowed precise remote control without engineers physically shadowing the robot on foot, an obvious practical advantage during a public relay.

Kuavo, Cao emphasised, is a mass‑produced model whose baseline stability was already solid. For an occasion as sensitive as the torch relay they nevertheless continued refining motion control and related systems to eliminate any chance of failure. "We kept optimizing various aspects of the robot to make sure everything on site would run flawlessly without any errors," Cao noted.

The name itself carries intent: Kuavo references the myth of Kua Fu Chasing the Sun.

"In our early development phase, our primary goal was to make the robot walk and run first, then pursue increasingly ambitious objectives, a progression that aligns perfectly with the enduring spirit embodied by the 'Kua Fu' legend," added Cao.

Cao also claimed that Kuavo joining torch relay showcased China's tech innovation, "It's about channeling our advancements in technology and our vision for the future through sporting events and their applications, demonstrating to the public how these forward-looking technologies can serve everyone across a wider range of scenarios."