Giant French robots fight in Beijing
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
People watch a mechanical installation named "The Spider" emit water vapor during the Long Ma performance in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing October 17.
In scenes worthy of a Transformers movie, a huge yellow horse-dragon clashes with a tremendous arachnid in downtown Beijing. The robotic show is creating awe in the Chinese capital for the first time ever.
The robot horse-dragon, or Long Ma, is 12 meters high and weighs 45 tons and his rival spider, The Princess, has a 20-meter leg-span and can froth at the mouth.
The show is half combat and half ballet without a strict scenario, though it is based on traditional Chinese mythology. The directors change the scene according to the reaction of the audience. A crew of 100 people includes actors, singers and an orchestra.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
People watch a mechanical installation named "Long Ma" emit water vapour during the Long Ma performance in front of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing October 17.
The robots can produce different sounds: they rear, grow, their eyes glow red and smoke comes out of the mouth. What they can't (yet) do is act on their own and still require people to operate them.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
The creatures were made by La Machine company and shipped from France - that is at least an 8,000 km cross country journey.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
"In this mythical universe, the horse-dragon combines equine speed and vitality with the supreme power of the dragon: he embodies the spirits of vigor and perseverance that Chinese schoolchildren are still taught today," Francois Delaroziere, art director of the French company La Machine, said.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
The beasts will fight over several days. The spider will then leave the Chinese capital and Long Ma will stay in the Beijing Culture Free Port.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
The event marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and China.
© Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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