As China’s tourism industry continues to advance and embrace technology, visitors to the country are increasingly encountering futuristic travel experiences that blur the lines between humans and machines.

Robot-Assisted Hikes and AI-Guided Sightseeing Tours

• Many tourist attractions across the country are now offering unique and immersive experiences, such as robot-assisted hikes and AI-guided sightseeing tours.
• These innovative experiences are not only a hit with tourists but also provide a glimpse into an exciting future in which technology and culture blend seamlessly.

During the recent May Day holiday, which is one of China’s busiest travel periods each year, many tourist attractions were empowered by high-tech to offer visitors a range of novel experiences.

For example, in the Shichuan Ancient Pear Orchard in Gaolan, northwest China’s Gansu Province, robots developed by Unitree Robotics were seen leading tourists around the orchard’s iconic sights, displaying dynamic obstacle avoidance and terrain climbing skills.

Similarly, in the same region, an agriculture museum saw robots interact with traditional farming tools, presenting a dialogue between ancient and modern times for visitors and showcasing how China’s ancient farming civilization has evolved to embrace modern technology.

One visitor, surnamed Zhang, described his experience with the robots as a “pleasant surprise,” noting that it was “just like communicating with a real person.” He also praised the robots’ movements, saying they were “very flexible” and able to “listen intently” to his every move.

Agriculture Museum and Robot Interactions

At the agriculture museum, robots were used to interact with traditional farming tools, highlighting the evolution of China’s ancient farming civilization to modern technology.

1. Robots were seen working alongside traditional farming tools, demonstrating the blending of old and new technologies.
2. The robots presented a dialogue between ancient and modern times, providing visitors with a unique perspective on China’s farming history.
3. The museum showcased how modern technology has transformed traditional farming practices, offering a fascinating glimpse into the country’s agricultural heritage.

Exoskeleton Robots for Mountain Climbing

In the tourism industry, exoskeleton robots are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among mountain climbers.

These wearable devices can reduce human exertion by sensing user intentions and dynamically outputting mechanical force to core body parts.

A manager at the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, which organizes trips to Mount Tai, noted that their exoskeleton robots were in high demand during the holiday, with some tourists waiting for up to two hours to rent a device.

The robots are priced at 80 yuan (about 11 U.S.