Full Breakdown
Chinese Humanoid Robots Dazzle U.S. TV While Facing Congressional Scrutiny
6/6/2026, 1:02:58 PM
The AGT Performance: Eight Unitree G1 Robots Take the Stage
On June 2, the season-premiere of NBC’s *America’s Got Talent* featured eight Unitree G1 humanoid robots dancing alongside Chinese performer Wu Yufei, known as “Flying Bug.” Set to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” the routine blended choreography and robotics, earned a standing ovation, unanimous judges’ approval, and advanced Wu Yufei to the next competition round.
Legislative Push: Guard Act and American Security Robotics Act
One day after the broadcast, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Guard Act—formally the Guarding the U.S. Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance (GUARD) Act. The bill requires national-security agencies to review any humanoid or quadruped robot made by China or other foreign adversaries and could prohibit importation of robots deemed a security threat. Separately, the American Security Robotics Act, slated for introduction by two senators on March 26, would bar federal agencies from purchasing Chinese-made robots, including humanoids.
Industry Context and Expansion Plans
Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics confirmed the robots were its G1 models and announced an IPO on Shanghai’s STAR board, seeking 4.2 billion yuan (? $620 million) to fund new robot models, hardware development, and a manufacturing base. The company sells internationally via Alibaba’s AliExpress, targeting North America, Europe, and Japan, and has partnered with Nvidia to develop a new H2+ humanoid reference design slated for release later this year.
Data Highlights
- 2025 revenue grew 335 % year-on-year.
- Over 40 % of Unitree’s revenue now originates from markets outside China (CNBC).
- The AGT act showcased eight robots; the competition’s grand prize is US $1 million.
Public Reaction and Cultural Impact
The performance sparked immediate social-media buzz. Audience members shouted “That was crazy!” and judges described the act as “incredible, absolutely spectacular.” Viewers on YouTube wrote, “If anything deserved a golden buzzer it was this… the most unique, rare, and incredible thing I’ve ever saw.” Chinese netizens framed the act as a source of national pride, while foreign viewers highlighted the novelty of merging dance with robotics.
Criticism and Opposition
U.S. legislators argue that Chinese-made robots could pose security risks and that unrestricted imports may undermine domestic technology leadership. Analysts caution that excessive restrictions could politicize a fast-evolving commercial sector, fragment the global robotics supply chain, and raise costs for businesses and consumers on both sides.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources refer to the security bill by several names—Guard Act, GUARD Act, and Guarding the U.S. Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance—without a single definitive title. The exact date of the Guard Act’s introduction is described only as “one day after” the AGT performance, leaving the calendar date unspecified. Details of the American Security Robotics Act’s provisions remain limited in the available reports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That was crazy!” — Audience member, *America’s Got Talent* studio
- “The judges exclaimed, 'That's incredible, absolutely spectacular!' In the end, Wu Yufei advanced to the next round with unanimous approval from the judges, according to Xinhua. The appearance quickly spread across social media after the episode aired on Tuesday local time, with clips of the routine drawing widespread attention online both in China and the overseas. Many viewers expressing surprise and admiration. Some Chinese netizens praised the young performers and the country's technological progress, calling the moment a source of” — Judge, *America’s Got Talent*
- “Liu said in recent years, China's humanoid robotics industry has moved from technological breakthroughs toward large-scale commercialization.” — Liu Gang, chief economist, Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies
- “This was literally the most unique, rare, and incredible thing that I've ever saw.” — Viewer, YouTube comments
- “ Another said, "The young man's dancing was excellent and the robots really amplified it.” — Viewer, YouTube comments
What’s Next
Unitree plans to launch the H2+ reference design later in 2026, while congressional committees schedule hearings on the Guard and American Security Robotics bills. Continued public exposure on platforms like *America’s Got Talent* may shape both market demand and policy debates surrounding Chinese robotics in the United States.
