The line between technology and live entertainment was on display at a concert in the Chinese city of Chengdu on Thursday, where Chinese American singer-songwriter Wang Leehom was joined on stage by six humanoid robots. The robots, dressed in silver sequined outfits, appeared during his performance of Open Fire and danced alongside the singer, according to local media.

Videos shared online show the robots performing a sequence of coordinated movements, including arm motions, leg kicks, turns and jumps, timed to the music. Their actions appeared closely synchronized with the rhythm rather than limited to simple, repetitive gestures. 

The routine concluded with all six robots completing a Webster flip at the same time, prompting visible audience attention and further discussion online about the growing use of robotics in live performances.

Unitree robots draw global attention after Chengdu stage performance

Behind the onstage performance was Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based company that supplied the six humanoid robots featured in the show. The appearance quickly drew attention beyond China, including from billionaire Elon Musk, who reshared a post on X stating that robots in China are now doing everything, even dancing on stage like professionals. Musk added a brief comment of his own, calling the performance impressive.

The routine also sparked wide discussion across Chinese social media platforms. Many users commented on the robots’ movements and coordination, with some expressing admiration for how polished and visually striking the performance appeared, while others pointed to it as another sign of the rapid pace of development in China’s robotics sector.

Online reactions highlighted how quickly expectations around humanoid robots are shifting. Under the related video on Sina Weibo, one commenter noted that during this year’s Spring Festival Gala, robots were only seen spinning handkerchiefs, while less than a year later they are already performing flips on stage. 

Another user said the live show was so engaging that they did not initially realize the performers were robots, underscoring how closely the machines resembled human dancers in a concert setting.

New dance capability aimed at everyday robot use

The reaction to the performance was also reflected in comments shared by Wang Leehom himself after the concert. A statement published on the singer’s official website referred to the Chengdu show, part of his ongoing Best Place Tour, and noted his experience performing alongside robotic dancers on stage.

The statement described the appearance of the robots as an uncommon sight in a live concert setting and said the performance combined robotic technology with live music, adding that the collaboration marked a notable moment in the tour.

The concert appearance is only one example of how Unitree plans to showcase its humanoid robots. The Hangzhou-based company is also exploring how its G1 robots could perform dance routines in everyday home settings. 

In February this year, Unitree demonstrated a new function described as “Keep the Music Going, Keep the Dance Flowing” which allows the robots to maintain movement in sync with music, with variations in functionality across different models and versions of the robot.