1st November 2025 - (Shenzhen) Shenzhen will host the torch relay for the 15th National Games of China on Sunday, 2nd November, with a technological first set to command attention. A humanoid robot named Kuavo has been designated the ceremonial "Zero Torchbearer" and will complete a 100‑metre leg using a human‑like running gait. The role showcases recent advances by developer Leju Robotics, which has overhauled Kuavo's motion‑control algorithms to improve dynamic balance and the "stickiness" of footfall during high‑speed movement. Earlier generations displayed a rigid running posture, but the new control stack delivers more natural arm swings and strides, producing a closer approximation to real‑world biomechanical coordination throughout the relay.
Carrying the 1.4‑kilogram torch introduces further complexity, placing additional demands on limb control and whole‑body centre‑of‑mass management. Engineers say refined load‑handling algorithms counter tendencies for the robot to pitch forward or drift right under weight, ensuring stable and smooth progress while running under load. Kuavo is also billed as the world's first humanoid equipped with 5G‑A connectivity. Low latency and high bandwidth enable real‑time video uplink from the relay route and seamless teleoperation from Leju's control room, allowing operators to command start, run, wave and handover sequences live at the Civic Centre Square.
Developers describe the relay as a proving ground for future industrial use cases. With 5G‑A backbones, humanoids could undertake remote tasks in hazardous or specialised settings, such as power‑grid inspections or high‑temperature environments, advancing "unmanned" operations.