--- title: "They Gave a Robot a Sword" description: "A freshly viral video shows a Robotera L7 unit performing an intricate sword dance to ring in the Chinese New Year." date: "2026-02-14" modified: "2026-02-14" authors: - name: "Joe Wilkins" job_title: "Correspondent" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jwilkins" url: "https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-sword-china" categories: - "Robotics" - "Robots and Machines" --- # They Gave a Robot a Sword ![A split image showing a humanoid robot performing martial arts moves in a traditional Chinese courtyard. On the left, the robot is executing a one-handed handstand while a person in red traditional attire performs a flying kick behind it. On the right, the robot is balancing on one leg with its arms raised, appearing to be in mid-motion. The background features ornate red pillars, decorative window frames, and tiled roofs typical of classical Chinese architecture.]() *Robotera via YouTube* Folks, it finally happened: they gave a robot a sword. Over the past few years, engineers have often used [dancing]() and [martial arts]() to showcase their humanoid robots. Now to ring in the Chinese New Year, some marketing genius decided to give a robot a sword, and the results are impressive. Meet the robot nicknamed "Linghu Chong" by Chinese media, after a fictional swordfighter described by the twentieth-century novelist Jin Yong. The robot wields what the developers are calling the "Dugu Nine Swords," a reference to a fictional fighting technique employed by Linghu Chong. In the demo video [shared by *China News*](), the robot is seen practicing thrusts, kick flips, and slashes with a sword in hand. Unlike [some clumsier bots](), this unit — a Robotera L7 — has some top-notch motor skills, leaping and twirling without getting tangled up with its weapon. https://youtube.com/shorts/y3UorbE-16g?si=lxuEan5_4sBIRdro According to the [Robotera website](), the L7 features 55 degrees of freedom, the number of independent movements a robot can make. Its arm features seven degrees of freedom, while its hand alone is said to boast 12. That said, the L7 isn't ready to do battle with humanity just yet — the human hand is commonly understood to have a whopping [27 degrees of freedom](), meaning we still have a tactical advantage, at least in theory. Still, the fact that the L7 could execute such dynamic full-body movements in rapid-fire succession is undeniably impressive. The L7 first [made its debut]() in July of 2025 with help from Tsinghua University. When it was announced, Robotera emphasized its agility, showing off its [breakdancing moves]() as well as its more practical capabilities in commercial environments. It's just one of many [Chinese]() [engineering]() [accomplishments]() of late — evidence that, though it'll soon be the year of the horse, the year of the armed robot may already be upon us. **More on robotics:** *[This Robot With a Working Human Face Is Incredibly Unsettling]()* ## Author At Futurism, I focus on the intersection of technology and power — examining the economics, history, and politics behind today’s dystopian headlines. As a writer, I’m interested in topics ranging from AI’s impact on labor to startups nobody asked for. My prior work includes bylines in Jacobin, Verso, and Blue Labyrinths. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Forbes, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time, The Nation, Mother Jones, The Verge, and Wired. I grew up in Michigan, attending Central Michigan University as well as Ball State University, where I earned a master of music. I now live in Brooklyn with my girlfriend and our cat Ziti. On weekends, you can find me hunched over a cold pint arguing geopolitics with the other transplants. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()