On March 31, in Jinhua, Zhejiang, the Zhongyue Wu Opera Troupe introduced a robotic dog for the first time in a performance, casting it as "Howling Celestial Dog," the loyal companion of the deity Erlang Shen. Dressed in traditional opera attire, the robotic dog performed alongside human actors on stage.

However, due to the complex live environment with a large crowd and signal interference, the robotic dog experienced some technical issues during the performance. It was originally programmed to stand upright, but due to an unstable signal, it unexpectedly flipped upside down.

The chairman of the Zhejiang Zhongyue Wu Opera Troupe explained that the idea was inspired by robots performing with handkerchiefs at the Spring Festival Gala. He felt that the lively and agile image of the robotic dog was a perfect match for the character of "Howling Celestial Dog."

Despite some minor hiccups in its debut, the troupe remains optimistic. They plan to design custom costumes that better fit the opera’s aesthetic, reducing the robotic look. Additionally, they aim to incorporate martial arts-style moves like flips to enhance the robot’s stage presence.