As the Year of the Horse approaches, robots are stealing the spotlight at Spring Festival celebrations across China. From Beijing malls to Chengdu temple fairs, AI and tradition are merging in new ways, giving the holiday a futuristic feel.

Shanghai: Robot troupes light up the city

At the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Fair, robots appeared as "cyber Gods of Wealth," writing calligraphy and presenting Fu blessing characters to visitors. Four robotic dogs formed a "Fortune Pony" parade, interacting with crowds. "We want every visitor to find their own special New Year memory at Yuyuan," said He Yun, co-CMO of Greater Yuyuan.

At Wujiaochang, robots also wrote Fu characters as residents eagerly lined up to receive the tech-infused gifts. One visitor said she planned to bring the robot-written blessing to her son, who is studying robotics.

The First Robot Immersive Culture Carnival at Shanghai Global Harbor gathered more than 300 robots across 3,000 square meters, creating a futuristic "robot neighborhood." "We want to bring robotics out of labs and into urban life," said Hu Lingpeng, CEO of Feikuo Technology.

Beijing to Chengdu: Robot temple fairs nationwide

Beijing's Haidian Spring Festival Tech Fair features over 150 exhibits from more than 70 enterprises, including 43 robot displays. At a rehearsal in Wukesong, "little lion" robots practiced lion dances while Yingge robots performed alongside children. "Actions are more refined this year, and robots can make decisions autonomously," said organizer Qiu Feng.

At Chengdu's Wuhou Shrine Temple Fair, robotic arms make sugar-coated hawthorn skewers and serve coffee, blending modern technology with Three Kingdoms culture.

Shandong's "robot Spring Festival gala"

On February 14, Shandong hosted China's first Spring Festival gala starring robots. Bionic humanoids performed graceful dances before switching roles to serve drinks. Industrial robots demonstrated calligraphy, completing couplets in a single smooth motion. Dance robots connected to DeepSeek's AI model moved at speeds of up to 4.5 meters per second and interacted with audiences.

From show to service: Robots enter daily life

Chinese humanoid robots are evolving from "dancing celebrities" into practical workers. At phone factories in Shenzhen, UBTech's Walker S robots reportedly work 15 percent faster than skilled workers with near-zero errors. At NIO auto plants, humanoid robots have also been deployed for high-precision assembly tasks.

The Noetix Bumi robot, priced at under $1,400, is designed to accompany seniors on walks, remind them to take medication, and alert emergency contacts if it detects a fall.

Global attention: China's AI sprint

The Associated Press reported on February 13 that robots are "interpreting traditional New Year flavors through technology," attracting overseas attention with their unique appeal.

Morgan Stanley raised its 2026 China sales forecast for humanoid robots from 18,000 to 28,000 units, noting that "China has applied the EV supply chain playbook to robots without modification."

As mechanical arms write couplets, AI-powered robotic dogs interact with crowds, and bionic humanoids recite Tang poetry, Spring Festival traditions are taking on a bold new look. As one netizen put it: "Turns out celebrating the New Year can be this cool!"

(Cover via VCG)