When Robots March In: AiMOGA Machines Make a Historic Debut at the Asian Youth Para Games

A short, striking debut that put robots in the spotlight

At the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, two robots from Chinese maker AiMOGA walked and trotted onto the stage alongside athletes, hosts and performers. The moment was simple but notable: it was the first time Chinese-built robots played visible roles at an international para-sports opening.

The machines—introduced as the humanoid Mornine and the quadruped Argos—did not steal the show from the athletes. Instead, they joined the choreography, handed over symbolic items and interacted with presenters in a series of short, rehearsed scenes. For viewers, the appearance felt like a mix of theatre and product demo. For AiMOGA and its partner, automaker Chery, the event offered a high-profile chance to show what their machines can do in front of a sympathetic, global audience.

Onstage moment: robots, choreography and a crowd that watched closely

Mornine took the stage first, moving with an upright, humanlike gait. Its motions were measured: a few steps, a short bow and a handoff of a ceremonial flag to a young athlete. Argos, the four-legged unit, appeared beside a group of performers and walked in rhythm with light cues, turning its head in a way meant to look attentive rather than mechanical.

Two company representatives stood off to one side and issued short cues into handheld microphones, guiding the flow of interaction. The choreography made space for the athletes to lead; the robots were props and helpers, not the main attraction. The audience response ranged from polite applause to visible curiosity and a smattering of cheers when Mornine completed a precise gesture.

Visually, the staging leaned into friendly design. The robots were fitted with bright accents and soft lighting that downplayed any industrial feel. There were no stunts, no risky maneuvers and no obvious technical hiccups. The whole sequence lasted a few minutes, long enough to register and short enough to keep the focus on the Games themselves.

Meet Mornine and Argos: design, abilities and the Chery tie-up

Mornine is a humanoid platform designed for public-facing roles: guided interaction, scripted movement and simple object handling. It is said to include basic vision systems for detecting people and obstacles, balance control for walking, and a modular arm for handing over lightweight items. Argos is a quadruped built for stable, terrain-aware motion and visual engagement; its role was largely ceremonial, but the form factor lets it handle uneven ground and small props more easily than a biped.

AiMOGA positioned the appearance as a partnership with Chery, which handled logistics and branding. The automaker’s involvement suggests a commercial angle: using the ceremony to show robots as lifestyle or service companions rather than industrial arms. Onstage, both machines wore subtle Chery badges and shared the stage with the company’s own promotional displays after the opening.

The technology on display leaned toward reliability and safety rather than cutting-edge autonomy. That fits the context: a live event with athletes and guests demands predictable, supervised performance more than unscripted intelligence.

Why this matters: inclusion, public tech shows and a soft-power moment

There are a few reasons this moment is more than a novelty. First, placing robots in a para-sports ceremony ties robotics to ideas of accessibility and support. Even small gestures—like handing an item to a seated athlete—signal that machines might assist in public events or caregiving roles.

Second, the appearance is a PR play for Chinese robotics firms. High-visibility, non-military uses of robots help shape a softer public image: tech that entertains, helps and participates in communal life. For AiMOGA and Chery, the event offered a narrative that goes beyond factory floors and research labs.

Third, the move fits a growing pattern: robots are increasingly part of staged public moments—from product launches to sports ceremonies. Each appearance nudges the public to accept robots as tools in everyday spaces, not just in industry.

What comes next: follow-ups, business angles and questions to watch

Expect more demonstrations and partnership announcements. AiMOGA’s next sensible steps are commercial shows, service pilots at public venues, or visibility at trade fairs where buyers and city planners attend. For Chery, the payoff is brand association with friendly, future-facing tech.

Two issues to watch: practical usefulness and public reaction. These demos are useful PR, but they do not prove broad utility for people with disabilities or long-term safety in crowded environments. How the machines perform in daily, unscripted settings will determine their real value. Second, watch how other nations and companies respond: similar showcases may follow, turning ceremonial moments into a quiet battle for soft tech influence.

For now, the debut read as cautious and polished—a deliberate first step that brought robots into a human-led celebration without stealing the show.

Sources

• prnewswire.com