Guests practice tai chi following a robot at the Z·Pilot × AgiBot Player Base. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Humanoid helpers and a reality check
At the base, humanoid robots did more than wave and strike poses. They guided visitors through a simple tai chi routine, discussed the ongoing FIFA World Cup and possible champions, and even inspired three international guests to join in an impromptu outdoor session.
Gabrielle Chen, from the United States, participated in the session and offered a balanced view: "AI brings huge convenience, but watching the robot move, you can see how far we are from truly fluid, human‑like intelligence. The journey still has a long way to go."
Her observation echoes a broader industry reality — while China shipped about 14,400 humanoid units in 2025, most are still limited to repetitive tasks in controlled industrial settings, while the kind of general intelligence that would allow them to think and adapt on their own remains a distant prospect.
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