A viral video from a current live performance by Chinese language singer Wang Leehom has formally launched the web into yet one more are we residing sooner or later or a dystopian film? debate.
The singer-actor, 49, carried out at his Finest Place Tour cease in Chengdu, China, from December 18 to 21 — nevertheless it wasn’t simply Wang’s vocals that had folks speaking. Mid-performance, six humanoid robots joined him onstage, dancing in near-perfect synchronization throughout his music “Open Fireplace.” Sure, precise robots.
Clips from the live performance shortly unfold throughout social media, exhibiting the robots — wearing matching sequined tops and black leather-based pants — executing advanced choreography alongside human dancers. At one level, a number of of them even pulled off entrance flips in unison, which solely fueled the collective disbelief on-line.
The robots are a part of Unitree Robotics’ G1 line, developed by the Hangzhou-based firm. Every robotic stands about 130 cm tall, weighs roughly 35 kg, and is supplied with at the least 23 joint motors designed to “simulate human arms to realize exact operation of objects.” They reportedly have a battery lifetime of round two hours and retail for about $13,500 every.
The efficiency didn’t simply catch followers’ consideration — it caught Elon Musk’s too. Reposting footage from the live performance, the Tesla CEO merely referred to as it “spectacular.”
Others have been much less certain find out how to really feel. Whereas many viewers praised the robots’ precision and stage presence, some joked that dancers’ jobs is likely to be in peril. “Okay… robots in China are subsequent degree,” one observer tweeted. “They will do every part, even dancing like professionals!”
In response to Wang’s official web site, the second was meant to spotlight the intersection of artwork and innovation. “The efficiency marked a uncommon instance of a Robotic Dancer in live performance, mixing superior know-how with highly effective dwell music,” the location reads. “Because the opening beats of ‘Open Fireplace’ stuffed the venue, robotic dancers appeared and moved in excellent synchronization with Wang Leehom’s choreography.”
The web site additionally notes, “Many followers praised the efficiency as probably the most artistic highlights of the Finest Place Tour, exhibiting how music and know-how can merge seamlessly.”
Nonetheless, not everyone seems to be bought. Whereas some followers referred to as the robots “cool” and “next-level,” others discovered the visuals unsettling — proof that the road between futuristic enjoyable and uncanny valley is razor-thin.
Unitree’s G1 robots have already gone viral for different causes, from exhibiting off kung fu abilities to enduring bodily stress exams on digicam. The corporate is even teasing a future the place the robots might dance at dwelling, due to a characteristic dubbed “Maintain the Music Going, Maintain the Dance Flowing.”
