At the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, nine humanoid robots named "Photon" joined a human dancer in a performance titled "Soul of the Terracotta Warrior," winning the group dance competition. Against staccato drumbeats, they moved in perfect sync, shifting formations with such precision that the scene resembled a miniature mechanical army on parade.

Organizers selected larger models—each standing 1.7 meters tall and weighing 70 kilograms—to mirror the imposing presence of the actual terracotta warriors. This scale challenged the robots’ stability and coordination, prompting upgrades in motors, hardware, and motion algorithms after extensive testing.

Most dance movements were captured from instructors at the Beijing Dance Academy using motion capture suits. The choreography retained a deliberate, slightly rigid quality, complementing the robots’ mechanical nature while creating a powerful illusion of an ancient army stirring back to life.