When a group of humanoid robots walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, the judges had no idea just how unusual the audition was about to become. Simon Cowell and the other judges were preparing to evaluate another act, but this performance was unlike a typical dance audition.
The team, known as Unitree, combined a human dancer with a group of humanoid robots capable of synchronized movement, sharp choreography, and unexpected acrobatic tricks. Their routine turned the stage into a remarkable mix of entertainment and technology.
The performance quickly caught viewers’ attention online. But what made it memorable was not simply that robots could dance. It was the way the machines moved in formation alongside a human performer, appearing to follow the beat with impressive precision.
By the end, the judges had seen something they did not encounter in every audition: a performance that blended robotics, rhythm, and showmanship into one act.
A Different Kind of Audition
Unitree’s appearance came during the twenty-first season of America’s Got Talent in 2026. The person leading the performance was Yufei Wu, known by his performance name Flying Bug, a dancer from Sichuan, China.
Rather than stepping onto the stage alone with a conventional dance crew, Wu arrived with a group of humanoid robots. At first, the judges had the opportunity to speak with him and learn a little about the act. The machines, however, were the real mystery.
The performance began with Lady Gaga’s energetic hit “Abracadabra.” Wu started dancing, and the humanoid robots soon joined him, transforming the routine into a synchronized spectacle.
Eight robots moved alongside the human performer, matching the choreography and maintaining formation as the music continued. The act combined dance movements with martial-arts-inspired gestures, making the routine feel different from an ordinary group performance.
The unusual combination was central to the audition’s appeal. The machines were not merely standing in the background while a dancer performed. They were active members of the routine, moving with the performer and taking part in the choreography.
The Moment Simon Cowell Reacted
Simon Cowell has watched an extraordinary range of acts during his years on talent competitions. Singers, magicians, dancers, comedians, and unusual performers have all appeared in front of him. Unitree, however, offered something that did not fit neatly into any traditional category.
As the robots moved across the stage, the judges watched their synchronized movements with a mixture of fascination and surprise. Their human-like appearance made the performance especially unusual, while the choreography demonstrated how much movement the machines could execute.
After the routine, Cowell gave the act an enthusiastic description, calling it “insane” and “nuts, but brilliant.”
His response captured the combination of surprise and admiration surrounding the performance. The act was strange enough to make the judges uneasy, yet impressive enough to earn their respect.
The reaction also reflected the unusual balance at the heart of the audition. Robots can look futuristic and unfamiliar, but putting them on a talent-show stage requires more than advanced machinery. The act had to entertain an audience, maintain timing, and deliver a performance that people would want to watch.
Unitree managed to bring those elements together.
The Judges Were Impressed by the Robots’ Rhythm
The other judges had their own reactions to the routine. Sofía Vergara remarked that she had never seen anything quite like it, noting that the robots had rhythm and moved almost like human dancers.
Mel B was similarly fascinated. She asked whether the robots had names, and Wu explained that one of them was called Jackie because it loved kung fu. That detail added a playful personality to a performance already filled with unexpected movements.
Mel B also pointed out that the robots appeared to know the choreography so precisely that the human performer seemed more likely to fall out of sync than the machines.
That observation highlighted one of the act’s most striking features. The performance was designed around coordinated timing, and the robots’ ability to execute the routine together became a central part of the spectacle.
The machines did not replace the human performer. Instead, their precision created a contrast with Wu’s expressive dancing, making the partnership between people and technology the focus of the act.
For viewers, the appeal came from watching a familiar form of entertainment presented in an unfamiliar way.
Four Yes Votes Sent Unitree Forward
After sharing their opinions, the judges voted on whether Unitree should advance in the competition. The result was unanimous: all four judges voted yes.
The decision allowed the act to continue its America’s Got Talent journey, but the audition was only the beginning. To keep progressing, Unitree would need to demonstrate that the concept could deliver another memorable performance as the competition became more demanding.
The successful audition also introduced a wider audience to Yufei Wu and the idea of combining human dance with humanoid robots. The performance gave viewers something to discuss beyond the usual questions about vocal ability, stage presence, or technical skill.
It raised a broader question as well: as robotics continues to develop, how might machines change the kinds of entertainment audiences experience?
Unitree’s audition offered one answer. Robots could become more than tools in the background; they could participate directly in a choreographed live performance.
The Story Continued Beyond the Audition
Unitree’s journey did not end after receiving four yes votes. The act returned later in the 2026 season with an expanded performance that combined human performers and robots in an even larger routine.
During the quarterfinals, the team impressed the judges again. Sofía Vergara awarded Unitree her Live Golden Buzzer, sending the act directly into the season finale.
That moment was a major milestone for the group. It showed that the initial audition was not simply a one-time viral spectacle; the act had developed far enough to earn a place among the season’s finalists.
However, reaching the finale did not guarantee victory. Unitree ultimately did not advance into the final five. Singer Nene Royal won the 2026 season.
Even without the championship, Unitree achieved something remarkable: it brought a technology-driven dance act into the heart of a major entertainment competition and kept audiences interested throughout the season.
Why This Robot Performance Stood Out
The appeal of Unitree’s audition came from the combination of novelty, choreography, and human creativity. The robots attracted attention because their movements were unexpected, but the performance needed a human dancer to give the routine direction and personality.
Wu’s role helped tie the individual movements together. Rather than presenting a technology demonstration, the act used robotics as part of a performance designed for entertainment.
That distinction matters. A machine performing a movement may be impressive on its own, but a coordinated routine needs timing, planning, and a clear sense of presentation. Unitree’s audition brought all three elements to the stage.
It also demonstrated how talent competitions can create opportunities for acts that cross traditional categories. The judges were not evaluating a conventional dance crew or a typical technology demonstration. They were seeing a hybrid act that used engineering as a creative tool.
For audiences interested in robotics, the performance offered a glimpse of machines performing coordinated movements in a live entertainment setting. For America’s Got Talent fans, it was simply an audition unlike most others.
Watch Unitree’s Full AGT Audition
The original audition video shows Yufei Wu and the Unitree robots performing to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” followed by the judges’ reactions and voting.
If you enjoy unusual talent-show performances, synchronized dance, or the latest developments in humanoid robotics, this is an audition worth watching.
Watch the full performance here:
Related Stories
- The Most Unusual Acts to Perform on America’s Got Talent
- How Robot Technology Is Changing Live Entertainment
- The AGT Performers Who Earned a Golden Buzzer in 2026
