Gasgoo Munich- With the 2026 Spring Festival Gala approaching, a quiet race is unfolding within the robotics sector. In just a few days, MagicLab, Galbot, Unitree, and Noetix Robotics have all announced partnerships with state broadcaster CCTV. Titles range from "Intelligent Robot Strategic Partner" to "Designated Embodied Large Model Robot," but the "Humanoid Robot Partner" slot has drawn particularly intense industry scrutiny.
Rumors suggest the bidding for a spot on this national stage has hit 100 million yuan. For robotics startups still burning cash and reliant on funding, that is undeniably a high-stakes gamble.
Image Source: Noetix Robotics
The wager isn't just about a few minutes of airtime. As technology transitions from the laboratory to the marketplace, the Gala is viewed as a "critical leap" for brand recognition, capital attraction, and technical validation. A strong performance could yield prestige and resources far outweighing the investment.
Yet opportunity brings extreme scrutiny. Under the glare of a live broadcast, a robot's stability, interactive capabilities, and adaptability will be on full display. Even a minor mishap could be magnified endlessly. As one internet user quipped: "Robot, if you fall even once at the Gala, I’m done for in the stock market."
This race for a Gala slot signals not only the industry's accelerating maturity but also serves as a public technical stress test. Whoever can "hold steady" on the country's most-watched stage may well secure a lead in the race ahead.
