A 2.5-meter "robot teddy bear" appears in Qiuhong Valley — spinning, hugging, and even patting heads

▲ Taiwan’s first secret weapon — the moving robot teddy bear “Papa Bear and Baby Bear.” (Photo / Provided by Taichung City Economic Development Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taiwan’s first secret weapon at the Taichung Teddy Bear Exhibition, the "robot teddy bear," made its debut on the 23rd. The 250-centimeter-tall giant bear performed spins and hugs with a small robotic bear inside a specially built glass house in Qiuhong Valley, attracting many visitors to stop and take photos. During the Teddy Bear Carnival, the performance will take place every two hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The "Yaskawa Robert Twin Bears" (Papa Bear and Baby Bear), exclusively sponsored by Yaskawa Technology with an investment of over 3 million NTD, integrate robotic simulation technology that seemingly brings the bears to life with magic. In addition to performing spins and hugs, Papa Bear also pats Baby Bear’s head — a charming and playful display.

To prevent damage, the organizers have set up a special glass house so the robotic parent and child bears can sit safely “at home,” protected from wind and rain. A second group of bears that can play the violin, along with 12 hidden edition teddy bears, is expected to appear in early December.

The Teddy Bear Taichung Lifestyle Carnival runs from now until January 11, 2015, at Qiuhong Valley, Caotun Boulevard, and the National Taichung Theater in Taichung. The highlight of this year’s event is the brand-new design of 100 parent-and-child teddy bears, with 88 sets already on display and 12 more sets expected to make their debut early next month.