At the Eighth Hongqiao International Economic Forum's sub-forum on humanoid robotics innovation, CCTV interviewed Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics, about his journey in technological innovation. Recently, a netizen unearthed Wang's master's thesis from 2016, which went viral as it revealed early blueprints for Unitree’s robotic dog—showcasing his foresight in tech trends.

Wang addressed the thesis for the first time: "The idea dates back to 2013. I even considered dropping out to start a business, but it was just a thought back then since nothing tangible existed. Later, we turned it into reality. By 2014–2015, our company had already mapped out the development path for quadruped robots and executed it."

He recalled attempting a small humanoid robot in 2009 but shelved the project due to limited commercial viability. "The recent AI breakthroughs, including large language models, reignited possibilities. Now, humanoid robotics is advancing rapidly."

For aspiring tech entrepreneurs, Wang advised: "Innovation requires envisioning the future. If your direction is right, success is inevitable. Though pioneering fields are challenging to enter, that very barrier creates opportunities. Today’s environment is far more supportive for dreamers than in 2016, when valuations and attention were dozens of times lower. The stakes are higher now, but so are the chances to realize ambitions."