China’s PLA unveils robot that mimics soldiers’ combat moves

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently unveiled a new motion-controlled combat robot capable of mimicking soldiers’ combat moves in real time through artificial intelligence. Demonstrated at the 12th International Army Cadets Week (IACW) in November 2025, the robot operates by having a human operator wear a motion-sensing suit, allowing the machine to replicate punches, defensive maneuvers, and other actions almost instantly. This innovation highlights China’s rapid progress in military robotics and aligns with the PLA’s broader strategy to integrate advanced autonomous systems into modern warfare, enhancing battlefield flexibility and deterrence capabilities. The event, organized by the PLA Army Engineering University, included participation from cadets of China and 13 foreign militaries, who also tested other AI-driven military technologies such as mine-clearing robots with visual recognition and bomb-disposal robots controlled by voice commands. The exhibition underscored China’s leveraging of advances in its civilian robotics industry, particularly in humanoid balance and motion control,