In a mix of technology and art, a humanoid robot named Adam, developed by Beijing-based robotics company PNDbotics, took center stage alongside renowned musician Hu Yutong and his band at the VOYAGEX Music Festival in Changchun on 12 July 2025.
Standing 1.6 meters tall and weighing 60 kilograms, Adam isn’t just an impressive piece of machinery — it’s a carefully engineered performer. With 25 patented actuators built into its frame, Adam displayed a striking level of agility and precision, moving in rhythm with the music and tapping keys on a keytar with a flow that bordered on the human.
In video footage from the festival, Adam is seen fully engaged in the performance: strapped with a keytar, swaying naturally to the beat, and executing smooth hand movements that mirror those of a seasoned musician. The performance drew astonishment not only for its technical novelty but also for how seamlessly Adam integrated into the live band dynamic.
What makes Adam’s fluidity possible is its proprietary reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm, developed by PNDbotics. According to the company, the robot was trained through extensive simulations, enabling it to replicate human-like motor skills with impressive fidelity. Rather than relying on pre-programmed movements alone, Adam adapts based on real-time feedback — a significant leap forward in robotic autonomy and responsiveness.
PNDbotics described the performance as more than just a tech demo. In the caption of its YouTube video, the firm stated:
“This marks a new attempt, both in terms of technological innovation and artistic exploration. PNDbotics has never stopped pushing the boundaries with new endeavors.”