'Impressive': Elon Musk Reacts to Chinese Humanoid Robots Dancing Live and Backflipping on Stage

Elon Musk is not a man known for handing out compliments. So when the Tesla billionaire broke his silence with a single word, the tech world sat up and took notice.

After reposting footage showing Chinese humanoid robots dancing live on stage and pulling off a perfectly timed backflip, Musk summed it all up in just one understated verdict: 'Impressive.'

That brief reaction was enough to send the clip exploding across the internet, with viewers hailing the performance as a jaw-dropping glimpse of a future where robots can move, perform and entertain almost like humans.

A Concert Moment That Went Global

The now-viral moment unfolded during Chinese American singer Wang Leehom's Best Place Tour concert in Chengdu. As the music kicked in, six humanoid G1 robots developed by Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics strode onto the stage alongside human dancers.

Clad in silver sequinned outfits, the machines moved in flawless synchrony, mirroring every beat and step with eerie precision as the crowd watched in disbelief.

Then came the moment that stole the show.

All six robots launched into a high-difficulty Webster flip at exactly the same time, rotating mid-air before landing cleanly on the stage without a single wobble. Inside the 18,000-seat Chengdu Dong'an Lake Sports Park, the audience erupted as phones shot into the air to capture the spectacle.

Within hours, the footage was ricocheting across social media platforms worldwide. Musk's repost on X poured fuel on the fire, propelling the clip even further into the spotlight and sparking intense debate among engineers, investors and robotics fans about just how fast humanoid technology is advancing.

Why the Backflip Matters

Industry observers say the routine was not just entertainment but a serious technical milestone. The Unitree G1 humanoid robot is equipped with 3D LiDAR, advanced motion sensing and multi agent coordination systems.

These allow the robots to react within seconds, adjust posture mid movement and maintain balance even during complex actions.

Compared with the stiff and cautious robot movements seen at China's Spring Festival Gala less than a year ago, the smoothness of this performance marked a clear leap forward.

Experts note that dynamic balance and power control are among the hardest challenges in humanoid robotics. A coordinated backflip on a live stage suggests the technology is moving beyond lab testing and closer to real world use.

Unitree's Rise in the Robotics Race

Unitree Robotics is no stranger to major stages. The company has previously appeared at global events including the Winter Games, the Super Bowl and the Asian Games. It is also known as the first company to publicly retail high performance quadruped robots, helping bring advanced robotics into commercial markets.

The firm focuses heavily on independent research and development, designing its own motors, controllers, LiDAR systems and motion control algorithms. With more than 200 patent applications worldwide and over 180 already approved, Unitree has built a reputation for technical leadership in legged and humanoid robots.

Videos of the G1 robot performing kung fu moves, shooting basketballs and even withstanding physical blows have already attracted attention online, though not always without controversy.

What Elon Musk's Reaction Signals

Musk's reaction, while brief, carries weight. As the head of Tesla and a major voice in artificial intelligence and robotics debates, his acknowledgement signals respect for the pace of progress coming out of China.

The repost also sparked renewed discussion about competition between Chinese and Western robotics firms, especially as humanoid robots edge closer to everyday applications.

Fans praised the performance as one of the most creative moments of Wang Leehom's tour, while tech analysts focused on what it represents. The seamless blend of music, choreography and robotics showed how entertainment is becoming a testing ground for advanced technology.