Chinese humanoid robots have won over a major American television audience, highlighting a growing divide between public opinion and political concerns in the United States.

Eight Unitree G1 robots appeared on the season premiere of America’s Got Talent, performing alongside Chinese dancer Wu Yufei, known professionally as “Flying Bug.”

The routine blended dance, robotics, and advanced technology, earning a standing ovation from the studio audience and unanimous approval from the judges.

Analysts say the high-profile appearance could help boost mainstream acceptance of Chinese-made robots in the US, even as lawmakers in Washington pursue efforts to restrict or ban their use.

Humanoids steal spotlight

The Hangzhou-based Unitree gained a major spotlight in the United States after its G1 humanoid robots appeared on the season premiere of America’s Got Talent (AGT), performing alongside Chinese dancer Wu Yufei, known professionally as “Flying Bug.”

The audition, which aired on NBC on Tuesday evening local time, featured eight Unitree G1 humanoid robots executing a synchronized dance routine with Yufei. The act combined advanced robotics, choreography, and entertainment, drawing significant attention from both the audience and the judging panel. Contestants on the talent competition show compete for a grand prize of US$1 million, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Introducing himself to the judges, Yufei said he was from Sichuan province, China. When asked whether he expected to win the competition, he replied confidently that he intended to compete for victory. As seen in the video, the robots moved in close coordination with Yufei during the performance, displaying precise timing and rhythm throughout the routine. Their synchronized movements prompted visible surprise among both the audience and the judges, with some trying to determine how the machines were controlled during the act.

The judges praised the performance for its originality and execution, describing it as an unusual blend of technology and entertainment. Several remarked on the robots’ ability to move rhythmically, noting that the performance differed from typical robotic demonstrations.

After the routine, Yufei revealed that one of the robots was named “Jackie” because of its association with kung fu, a comment that drew laughter and applause from the audience and judges before the act advanced to the next stage of the competition.

Robotics policy clash

The growing popularity of Chinese humanoid robots among American audiences contrasts with increasing efforts in Washington to restrict their use in the US.

One day after Unitree’s humanoid robots appeared on AGT, a bipartisan bill known as the Guard Act was introduced in Congress. The proposed legislation seeks to ban Chinese-made robots considered national security risks. Separately, the American Security Robotics Act is advancing through Congress and would prohibit US federal agencies from purchasing robots, including humanoids, produced by Chinese companies, reports SCMP.

Unitree has expanded internationally through Alibaba’s AliExpress platform, targeting markets in North America, Europe, and Japan. The company recently announced a partnership with chipmaker Nvidia to develop a new humanoid reference design called H2+, which is scheduled to become available later this year.

Industry observers view the television appearance as a high-profile opportunity to increase public awareness of humanoid robotics and showcase the capabilities of Chinese-made machines to a wider audience.

According to experts, despite growing public interest, challenges remain for the overseas deployment of Chinese robots. Key obstacles include identifying practical application scenarios, acquiring operational data, and establishing local support networks. Chinese robotics firms still need more overseas partners and service providers capable of handling verification, maintenance, integration, and calibration to support large-scale international adoption.