Robotics firms see backlog in orders after humanoids steal the show at Spring Festival Gala

South China Morning PostEN 2 min read 100% complete by Vincent ChowFebruary 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Following appearances at China's Spring Festival Gala on Monday, robotics firms are experiencing a surge in orders, pushing delivery dates back to as late as April. Four domestic companies, including Unitree Robotics and Noetix, partnered with the Gala in deals worth approximately $14 million, showcasing their robots to a massive audience. Unitree's G1 humanoid robot, known for its martial arts performance, saw a significant increase in online interest, with delivery dates pushed to early March. Noetix's Bumi companion robot, featured in a comedy sketch, also experienced a surge in demand, delaying its delivery date to late April, while other Noetix models remain readily available. The Gala appearances have significantly boosted consumer interest in robots across China.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Hangzhou 40% Magiclab 60% Galbot 60% JD.com ×370% China 70% Unitree Robotics ×280% Noetix ×380% Spring Festival Gala ×390%

Keywords

humanoid robots 95% robotics 90% spring festival gala 80% order backlog 70% g1 humanoid 70% delivery dates 60% consumer interest 60% unitree robotics 60% noetix 50% companion robot 50%