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Tradition and technology sync at China 'AI temple fair'
Beijing (AFP) - A humanoid robot gyrates to pulsing music at a shopping mall in Beijing, part of an exhibition harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance the flavour of China's biggest annual festival. The country is celebrating the eight-day Lunar New Year holiday that typically sees people return home to eat, drink and make merry with family and friends. From dragon dances to incense offerings, the festival is also a time to nurture centuries-old traditions -- though in this corner of the capital, they come with a high-tech twist. Billed as an "AI temple fair", the event in Beijing's well-heeled Haidian district is a chance for local technology firms to display their products to the public. "(Robots) can already do a lot of things, like take things off the shelves and make coffee," said Sophia Wu as she strolled among silicon shop assistants and binary baristas. "I'd love to have a robot, and then it could do all my chores for me, and that would free up a lot of my time," the 48-year-old housewife and retired engineer told AFP. A troupe of robots manufactured by Hangzhou-based tech firm Unitree made global headlines this week after they performed a synchronised dance on China's Spring Festival TV gala. The singular dancer in the mall, however, put on a more modest show, staying rooted on the ground while jerkily swaying its hips and arms. Described as a "high-quality human imitation robot" called Xiao Xin, it was capable of communicating with people and making tiny adjustments to the expressions on its lifelike prosthetic face, a display placard said. Nearby, a visitor tentatively asked a life-size humanoid dressed as China's traditional wealth god what it had eaten for breakfast. "This morning, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast that included fresh fruit, delicious fried eggs, and sweet bread," the robot replied in a resounding baritone, shaking its wispy beard and glittering crimson robe. "I hope that in the new year, you can also eat healthily and deliciously, and be happy every day." 'Charm of robots' Elsewhere, a motley band of automated musicians cranked out holiday songs on analogue instruments, and finely tuned robotic arms wielded ink brushes to write calligraphy on thick red paper. Waiting for his scroll to dry, Bai Song, 34, said the exhibition had left him with a "deep impression of the charm of robots". "Every era inevitably produces different things. It's possible that AI will replace some of us, but there will also be new jobs, or new types of work," the IT professional told AFP. "Also, we're a socialist country, so there's no way that people's lives are suddenly going to get worse, because the state will provide our safety net." China leads the world in some advanced technologies and aims to achieve global supremacy in AI by the end of the decade. An AI chatbot developed by Chinese start-up DeepSeek sent shockwaves through the industry this week with its R1 programme that can match American competitors seemingly at a fraction of the cost. Still, not everything at the AI temple fair seemed quite so disruptive just yet. A robotic koi carp repeatedly swam into the wall of its water-filled enclosure, and two semi-automated football teams plodded around an indoor pitch, colliding with each other and scuffing their kicks. On the touchline, Cheng Cheng, a software development engineer at manufacturer Booster Robotics, said the company was working on "research-oriented applications" like refining foot and hand movements and interactions with AI. Despite the scrappy game -- won 5-2 by a pair of robots in pink jerseys -- the 36-year-old was upbeat about the firm's future prospects. "This is a starting point for us to make our robots more robust and fall-resistant... (and to) enhance their strength," he told AFP.
[2]
Tradition and technology sync at China 'AI temple fair'
A humanoid robot gyrates to pulsing music at a shopping mall in Beijing, part of an exhibition harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance the flavor of China's biggest annual festival. The country is celebrating the eight-day Lunar New Year holiday that typically sees people return home to eat, drink and make merry with family and friends. From dragon dances to incense offerings, the festival is also a time to nurture centuries-old traditions -- though in this corner of the capital, they come with a high-tech twist. Billed as an "AI temple fair", the event in Beijing's well-heeled Haidian district is a chance for local technology firms to display their products to the public. "(Robots) can already do a lot of things, like take things off the shelves and make coffee," said Sophia Wu as she strolled among silicon shop assistants and binary baristas. "I'd love to have a robot, and then it could do all my chores for me, and that would free up a lot of my time," the 48-year-old housewife and retired engineer told AFP. A troupe of robots manufactured by Hangzhou-based tech firm Unitree made global headlines this week after they performed a synchronized dance on China's Spring Festival TV gala. The singular dancer in the mall, however, put on a more modest show, staying rooted on the ground while jerkily swaying its hips and arms. Described as a "high-quality human imitation robot" called Xiao Xin, it was capable of communicating with people and making tiny adjustments to the expressions on its lifelike prosthetic face, a display placard said. Nearby, a visitor tentatively asked a life-size humanoid dressed as China's traditional wealth god what it had eaten for breakfast. "This morning, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast that included fresh fruit, delicious fried eggs, and sweet bread," the robot replied in a resounding baritone, shaking its wispy beard and glittering crimson robe. "I hope that in the new year, you can also eat healthily and deliciously, and be happy every day." 'Charm of robots' Elsewhere, a motley band of automated musicians cranked out holiday songs on analog instruments, and finely tuned robotic arms wielded ink brushes to write calligraphy on thick red paper. Waiting for his scroll to dry, Bai Song, 34, said the exhibition had left him with a "deep impression of the charm of robots". "Every era inevitably produces different things. It's possible that AI will replace some of us, but there will also be new jobs, or new types of work," the IT professional told AFP. "Also, we're a socialist country, so there's no way that people's lives are suddenly going to get worse, because the state will provide our safety net." China leads the world in some advanced technologies and aims to achieve global supremacy in AI by the end of the decade. An AI chatbot developed by Chinese start-up DeepSeek sent shockwaves through the industry this week with its R1 program that can match American competitors seemingly at a fraction of the cost. Still, not everything at the AI temple fair seemed quite so disruptive just yet. A robotic koi carp repeatedly swam into the wall of its water-filled enclosure, and two semi-automated football teams plodded around an indoor pitch, colliding with each other and scuffing their kicks. On the touchline, Cheng Cheng, a software development engineer at manufacturer Booster Robotics, said the company was working on "research-oriented applications" like refining foot and hand movements and interactions with AI. Despite the scrappy game -- won 5-2 by a pair of robots in pink jerseys -- the 36-year-old was upbeat about the firm's future prospects. "This is a starting point for us to make our robots more robust and fall-resistant... (and to) enhance their strength," he told AFP.
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Beijing's 'AI temple fair' blends centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge technology, offering a glimpse into China's AI ambitions and the public's reception of robotic advancements during the Lunar New Year festivities.
As China celebrates its eight-day Lunar New Year holiday, a unique exhibition in Beijing's Haidian district is showcasing the intersection of artificial intelligence and traditional festivities. Dubbed the "AI temple fair," this event offers local technology firms an opportunity to display their latest robotic innovations to the public 12.
The fair features a diverse array of AI-powered attractions. A humanoid robot, Xiao Xin, demonstrates its ability to communicate and express emotions through its lifelike prosthetic face. Visitors can interact with a life-size robot dressed as China's traditional wealth god, capable of engaging in conversation and offering New Year's wishes 12.
Other exhibits include a band of automated musicians playing holiday songs on analog instruments and robotic arms showcasing calligraphy skills. These displays highlight the potential of AI to preserve and enhance cultural traditions 12.
The event has garnered significant interest from attendees, with many expressing fascination with the robots' capabilities. Sophia Wu, a 48-year-old housewife and retired engineer, shared her enthusiasm for the potential of robots to assist with household chores 12.
Bai Song, a 34-year-old IT professional, acknowledged the transformative potential of AI while expressing confidence in China's socialist system to provide a safety net for any potential job displacement 12.
The AI temple fair serves as a microcosm of China's broader technological aspirations. The country aims to achieve global supremacy in AI by the end of the decade, with recent developments like the DeepSeek R1 chatbot demonstrating its competitive edge in the field 12.
Despite the impressive displays, some exhibits revealed the current limitations of AI technology. A robotic koi carp struggled with navigation, while semi-automated football teams demonstrated somewhat clumsy movements 12.
However, companies like Booster Robotics are actively working on refining robotic movements and AI interactions. Cheng Cheng, a software development engineer at the company, emphasized their focus on developing more robust and fall-resistant robots 12.
The AI temple fair represents a unique blend of China's rich cultural heritage and its technological ambitions. By integrating AI into traditional Lunar New Year celebrations, the event showcases the country's ability to harmonize ancient customs with cutting-edge innovations, potentially setting a precedent for future cultural adaptations in the AI era 12.
Reference
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Major Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are leveraging their expertise in factory automation to develop humanoid robots, potentially revolutionizing both manufacturing and wider applications.
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China's World Robot Conference 2024 in Beijing highlights the rapid progress in humanoid robot development, featuring impressive demonstrations of human-like capabilities and raising questions about the future of human-robot interactions.
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Chinese companies are intensifying efforts to create humanoid robots for industrial use, aiming to compete with Tesla's Optimus. This push aligns with China's goal to enhance productivity and address labor shortages.
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The Consumer Electronics Show 2025 showcases a wide array of AI-powered devices, highlighting the technology's growing influence across various consumer products and industries.
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DeepSeek's R1 chatbot has stunned the AI industry, boosting Chinese tech stocks and reshaping global AI competition. The low-cost, high-performance model has led to rapid adoption in China while raising concerns internationally.
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