Ancient martial arts and new-age artificial intelligence have collided in striking new footage showing humanoid robots training alongside monks at China’s famed Shaolin Temple.
The clips, filmed at the historic temple in Henan Province, show humanoid robots practising traditional Shaolin kung fu routines in synchrony with monks, carefully mirroring postures, drills and flowing combat movements.
The unusual scene has drawn global attention, with reactions ranging from admiration to curiosity.
Chinese robotics company Agibot released the footage earlier this month, showcasing its Lingxi X2 humanoid robots performing kung fu sequences with notable balance and precision, Interesting Engineering.com reported.
The robots are powered by Agibot’s Genie Operator-1 artificial intelligence model, designed to help machines learn and interpret movement using visual data rather than extensive pre-training.
The technology allows multiple robots to operate in sync, enabling group routines similar to those seen in the viral video.
Robots perform kung fu moves with Shaolin monks. Photo: Screengrab
The setting adds symbolic weight, with the Shaolin Temple known worldwide as the birthplace of Shaolin kung fu.
The pairing of centuries-old cultural tradition with advanced robotics creates a powerful contrast, signalling how technology is beginning to enter spaces once defined entirely by human skill.
Online reaction has focused largely on amazement at the technology while some viewers stayed sceptical of the new technology.
One user said the moves are “already extremely difficult”, making the robots’ imitation “truly amazing”, while others dubbed it “futuristic kung fu” and joked about a “next generation army”.
The footage comes as China increasingly showcases humanoid robots in high-profile performances, including kung fu displays broadcast during the country’s Spring Festival Gala.
The kung fu demonstration is not Agibot’s first showcase. Earlier videos featured the humanoid cycling and even completing a complex gymnastics Webster flip, underscoring rapid progress in humanoid mobility, Interesting Engineering.com reported.
Originally written by: Stuff reporter
Source: Stuff
Published on: 26 February 2026
Link to original article: Watch: Kung fu robots train alongside monks at China’s Shaolin Temple
