A robotic Dala horse in a red bamboo-woven coat is showcased at the exhibition A Cultural Journey where the Dala Horse Encounters Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage. [Photo/Jinhua Media Group]

A robotic Dala horse clad in a red bamboo-woven coat stood out at the exhibition A Cultural Journey where the Dala Horse Encounters Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage, which opened to the public in Shanghai on June 14.

The horse combines Dongyang bamboo weaving from Jinhua, Zhejiang province, with advanced smart technology.

Marking the 76th anniversary of China-Sweden diplomatic relations, the exhibition uses the theme of horses as a cultural link. It merges Sweden's Dala wooden horse with over 20 Chinese intangible cultural heritage crafts themed around horses, including Tang Dynasty (618-907) tri-colored glazed pottery, clay sculptures, and embroideries.

Created by He Hongbing, a representative inheritor of Dongyang bamboo weaving, in collaboration with the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and with support from Unitree Robotics, the innovative work blends traditional bamboo weaving techniques with modern mechanical structures, animating a traditionally static craft.

This cross-disciplinary project has drawn considerable attention from local and international guests. As an inheritor of the craft, He is dedicated to preserving traditional crafts while advancing their modernization and international reach.

The piece's debut at the exhibition not only highlights the techniques of Dongyang bamboo weaving but also demonstrates the integration of traditional heritage with modern technology, expanding its reach to a global audience.