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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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Inside the World's First Ever Satellite-Connected Humanoid Robot

In a major step forward for robotics and space-based communication, China has demonstrated what is being called the world’s first humanoid robot to directly connect with an orbiting satellite. The achievement highlights how robots may soon work independently in remote, dangerous, or network-poor environments—without relying on traditional ground-based internet systems.

The breakthrough was showcased by X-Humanoid’s robot, named “Embodied Tien Kung,” during the 3rd Beijing Commercial Space Industry High-Quality Development Promotion Conference, held on January 23. During a live demonstration, the humanoid robot successfully established a direct communication link with a low Earth orbit (LEO) internet satellite, proving that stable robot operation is possible even without support from ground networks.

A First-of-Its-Kind Satellite Connection

According to the team behind the project, Embodied Tien Kung became the first humanoid robot in the world to directly link with an orbiting satellite and transmit data in real time. The robot connected to GalaxySpace’s new wing-array integrated internet satellite, a next-generation LEO satellite designed to support high-speed, low-latency communication.

What made this test especially significant was that it did not rely on conventional mobile towers, fiber networks, or Wi-Fi. Instead, the robot communicated straight with the satellite hundreds of kilometers above Earth. This demonstrated a multi-terminal, multi-link satellite network, capable of handling connections from robots, smartphones, and computers simultaneously.

The system remained stable throughout the demonstration, marking China’s first successful test of this kind using a new phased-array flat-panel LEO internet satellite.

A Real-World Task, Not a Lab Experiment

Rather than limiting the test to a technical signal check, the team designed a real-world task to show how satellite-connected robots could operate in practical situations.

The mission was symbolic but meaningful. A driverless vehicle was programmed to transport a project completion certificate from a government service center to a newly completed area known as Rocket Avenue. Inside this unmanned vehicle was the certificate that the robot needed to retrieve.

As the GalaxySpace satellite passed overhead, Embodied Tien Kung identified the correct timing window to establish a satellite link. Before connecting, the robot carried out system diagnostics to ensure stable communication. Once the satellite link was active, the robot moved into action.

Walking, Seeing, and Sending Data from Space

With no human assistance and no ground-based network, the humanoid robot walked toward the driverless vehicle, opened it, retrieved the certificate, and carried it to another building nearby.

Throughout the entire process, the robot continuously generated and transmitted data. This included:

  • Video footage from its forward-facing camera

  • Information about joint movements and balance

  • Status updates on its operational systems

All of this data was sent directly to the orbiting satellite and then relayed back to a ground-based command center almost instantly. Operators were able to monitor the robot’s actions in real time, both through the robot’s first-person camera view and through external tracking systems.

Upon reaching its destination, Embodied Tien Kung formally presented the “Joint Project Completion Acceptance Certificate” to the project leader, a representative from Ezhou Star Arrow Company, successfully completing the task.

Why Satellite-Connected Robots Matter

This demonstration was more than a technological showcase. It addressed a long-standing limitation in robotics: dependence on local network infrastructure.

Most advanced robots today rely on stable internet or private networks to function effectively. In many parts of the world—such as deserts, mountains, oceans, disaster zones, or mining sites—such networks are unreliable or do not exist at all.

By enabling a humanoid robot to connect via satellite, researchers showed how robots could operate anywhere on Earth, regardless of geography or local signal conditions.

This opens up major possibilities in several fields:

  • Disaster response: Robots could enter earthquake zones, flood areas, or wildfire regions where communication infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

  • Emergency rescue: Humanoid robots could assist in search-and-rescue missions while sending live data back to command centers.

  • Field exploration: From remote scientific expeditions to infrastructure inspections, robots could work far from cities and networks.

  • Mining and energy: Robots could perform inspections and maintenance in high-risk environments such as deep mines or offshore facilities.

In these situations, satellite connectivity allows robots to operate safely while humans remain at a distance.

Improving Safety and Efficiency

Another key advantage of satellite-linked humanoid robots is risk reduction. Many industrial and emergency tasks expose workers to serious dangers, including toxic environments, unstable terrain, or extreme temperatures.

By deploying robots instead of people, organizations can:

  • Reduce human exposure to hazards

  • Improve task efficiency and scheduling

  • Operate continuously without fatigue

  • Collect detailed real-time data for decision-making

The demonstration also showed that satellite networks can support multiple devices at once, which is essential for coordinated operations involving robots, vehicles, and human supervisors.

Not the First “First” for Tien Kung

Interestingly, this is not the first time Embodied Tien Kung has been described as a world-first humanoid robot. In February 2025, the same robot made headlines by climbing 134 outdoor steps to reach the summit of Haizi Wall Park in Beijing.

That earlier achievement demonstrated the robot’s ability to handle complex outdoor terrain, including uneven steps and changing conditions—tasks that are particularly challenging for humanoid machines.

Together, these milestones show a clear pattern. Tien Kung is being tested not just in controlled environments, but in real, unpredictable, outdoor scenarios, where true autonomy and reliability are essential.

A Glimpse into the Future of Robotics

The successful satellite connection marks an important step toward a future where humanoid robots can operate independently across vast distances. By removing the need for ground-based networks, robots gain the freedom to work in places that were previously unreachable.

While the claim of being the “world’s first” may invite debate as global competition in robotics intensifies, the demonstration undeniably represents a major technical achievement. It combines humanoid mobility, autonomous decision-making, and space-based communication into a single working system.

As satellite internet constellations continue to expand and humanoid robots become more capable, this type of integration is likely to become increasingly common. The test carried out by X-Humanoid and GalaxySpace offers a clear glimpse of how robots, satellites, and autonomous systems may soon work together—extending human capability far beyond traditional limits.

In short, Embodied Tien Kung’s satellite-powered walk is not just a symbolic moment. It is a sign that the age of globally connected, truly autonomous robots may be closer than we think.

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