China's robot dancers limber up for America's Got Talent final

Chinese street dancer Wu Yufei, 27, has made it to the final of America's Got Talent after partnering with a crew of robots for their performance. Wu and his fellow robot performers, known as Homies, are part of a robotics group called Unitree. Wu described the experience as "very magical" and said that the robots now feel like more than just "cold, lifeless machines."

The robots were trained for months, with the dancers providing input to help the robots learn the routines. Robot dancing has gained popularity in China due to a standout performance at the country's annual Spring Festival gala. The Chinese humanoid robotics market is expected to reach $2 billion by the end of 2026, according to a Morgan Stanley report.

While the general public sees robot dancing as entertainment, industry insiders view it as a way to showcase robotic designs and capabilities. However, there are concerns about the industry's potential, with executives acknowledging that the market is still years away from becoming commercially viable beyond entertainment.