Is what I just saw real? This is crazy!
On the episode of Americas Got Talent broadcast on the evening of June 2nd, local time, 26-year-old Sichuan-born Wu Yufei danced alongside the robot Yushu. They performed a highly challenging dance routine. Before the performance even ended, the judges and audience stood up, applauding and cheering loudly.
Meanwhile, just as Chinese robots are stunninging American audiences, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on April 4 that Yushu Robotics appeared on a TV program during prime time in the United States. This could help increase the acceptance of Chinese robots in mainstream American society. However, at the same time, the U.S. Congress is trying to restrict or even prevent these robots from entering the American market.
At the beginning of the program, Wu Yufei stepped onto the stage alone. The audience hadnt realized what was about to happen yet. As the music started playing, a team of robots slowly walked into the center of the stage. Seeing this scene, the audience was initially filled with surprise.
The American National Broadcasting Company (NBC) described the atmosphere in the studio as filled with an uneasy curiosity. After all, in 2026, when a group of robots marched in unison, it certainly gave people a sense of unease. However, once the music began to play, the performance by Yushu Robotics completely captivated everyone in attendance.
Along with the song Abracadabra by American singer Lady Gaga, eight Yushu robots and Wu Yufei began to dance synchronously. Their coordinated choreography, precise and smooth control of their movements, and astonishing acrobatics left the audience stunned by the robots athletic abilities.
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Wu Yufei and 8 Yu Shu robots completed a somersault in the air. The camera then focused on the area below the stage. The audience stood up, their expressions changing from confusion and misunderstanding at first, to shock that they couldnt even close their mouths, and they couldnt help but cheer loudly. A fan was captured saying to her friend, This is absolutely crazy!
After the performance, the audience erupted into loud applause and cheers. The four judges also opened their mouths wide, trying to process everything that had happened just a few steps away from them. Mel, who was shocked, could only manage to say, Perfect. Simon Cowper, on the other hand, struggled to find the right words to express his feelings: Its crazy, but absolutely amazing. Truly amazing.
I have never seen such performances before. Usually, those robots look strange, but these robots actually have a sense of rhythm. Sophia Vilara couldnt help but praise Wu Yufei, the only human participant in the show. Watching them dance is like watching real people dancing. And youre truly amazing; your dancing is incredible.
Finally, all four judges voted approve. The Yu Shu team successfully advanced to the next round of competition.
American Idol is one of the most popular television shows in the United States. Since its launch in 2006, it has attracted a large audience. According to data from the market research firm Nielsen, the average number of viewers per episode last season was nearly 6 million. This time, when Yushu Robotics appeared on the show for the first time, many ordinary Americans got the chance to see Chinese humanoid robot technology up close for the first time.
After the program was broadcast, related videos quickly became popular on social media. As of the 5th, the playback count for the performance footage on the programs YouTube official account had exceeded 1 million, with 31,000 likes received.
According to Kyle Chen, a researcher specializing in Chinese technology at the Brookings Institution, the popularity of Yushu Robotics reflects a significant cognitive gap between American politicians and ordinary citizens when it comes to their views on Chinese technology products.
Just two days after Yu Shu appeared on the show, three American congressmen jointly proposed a bipartisan bill called the Guard Against Robot Rule of Hostile Machines Act. The goal of this bill is to prevent Chinese robots from entering the U.S. market.
The Chairman of the House Committee on China Issues, Republican Congressman John Mueller, who frequently manipulates anti-China issues, accused Chinese robots of posing a national security threat to the United States. He even publicly named Yushi Technology, claiming that Chinese companies are developing humanoid robots for weaponization purposes.
This is not the only action taken by the United States against Chinas robotics industry in recent times. Another bill, called the American Security Robotics Act, is also under consideration in Congress. This bill aims to ban the purchase of Chinese robotics products, including humanoid robots, by federal government agencies in the United States.
According to the South China Morning Post, currently, Yushu Technology sells humanoid robots overseas through the AliExpress platform under Alibaba. North America, Europe, and Japan are important target markets for its global expansion. On the 1st, the company also announced a partnership with NVIDIA, a leading American chip manufacturer. This collaboration involves using Yushu Technologys H2 robot as a platform to develop the Isaac GR00T humanoid robot, which will be utilized by universities and academic institutions.
Kyle Chen believes that Yushu Technologys participation in American Idol is more likely aimed at increasing brand awareness, rather than deliberately seeking support from the American public in order to withstand the increasing censorship pressures from the U.S. government.
Washington is often willing to ban Chinese technology products that are actually popular among the American public. Examples include DJI drones and TikTok, he pointed out.
However, Lu Shengyun, a Shanghai-based technology consultant, also pointed out that although this performance may impress American audiences who are exposed to Chinese robots for the first time, the main challenges faced by Chinese robots when going global remain related to insufficient application scenarios and data resources. Chinese companies still lack overseas partners and integrators who can provide localized verification, maintenance, and calibration services.
