Metal meets meditation as humanoid robots join monks in martial arts practice.
A group of humanoid robots has been filmed practicing kung fu alongside Shaolin monks at China’s famous Shaolin Temple. The videos, which began circulating widely in early February, show the machines mirroring monks’ movements inside the historic temple complex in Henan province.
The robots were developed by Shanghai-based robotics company AgiBot. In the clips, they appear to closely follow the monks’ posture, balance, and timing, much like human students learning under a master.
According to Chinese media, the demonstration was part of a technology showcase rather than formal religious training. The monks’ involvement was framed as a cultural and technological exchange, not as a replacement of traditional practice.
For many viewers, the moment felt surreal. Shaolin Kung Fu is deeply tied to Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and discipline. Seeing machines perform routines that have been passed down through generations of human training has prompted both admiration and discomfort.
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Shaolin Temple has started practicing kung fu with robots.
— Science girl (@sciencegirl) February 5, 2026
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The technology behind the moves
AgiBot’s humanoids are powered by AI models designed to operate in real-world environments.
The company previously showcased its Lingxi X2 humanoid performing a range of dynamic actions, including cycling and executing complex gymnastic moves such as the Webster flip.
The robots’ ability to perform martial arts routines highlights advances in motion learning, balance, and coordination. AI systems now enable machines to interpret and replicate human movements with increasing accuracy, turning martial arts into a high-level test of physical control.
Experts say such demonstrations are more than a spectacle. They serve as proof points for how far embodied AI has progressed.
A broader push into public life
The Shaolin performance is not happening in isolation. Across China, humanoid robotics is rapidly moving beyond factory floors and research labs.
In Shenzhen, the world’s first humanoid robot free combat league recently kicked off for the 2026 season. The event, called the Ultimate Robot Knockout Legend (URKL), will award a gold championship belt worth 10 million yuan ($1.44 million), according to the Global Times.
Pan Helin, a Beijing-based analyst, told the Global Times that such competitions help expand real-world application scenarios for humanoid robots. Tian Feng, former dean of SenseTime’s Intelligence Industry Research Institute, added that the role of such events is to “plant seeds,” not to “harvest,” Global Times reported.
Furthermore, these robots are becoming accessible to the general public. AgiBot and other firms like Botshare have launched rental platforms for booking humanoids for weddings, concerts, and galas.
“A leasing platform could connect users, rental intermediaries, content developers and manufacturers, accelerating adoption,” said Jiang Qingsong, Botshare’s chairman, in a statement reported by VN Express.
With China’s humanoid robot market projected by the Chinese Institute of Electronics to reach 870 billion yuan by 2030, the sight of a robot practicing kung fu may soon move from a viral “shock” to a standard part of daily life.
For more on China’s humanoid robot ambitions, read how Chinese firms like LimX are eyeing the US market and what it could mean for Tesla’s Optimus.