Yao and his son are showing the robotic backpack. Photo: Screenshot from Douyin
"That's straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster!" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning exclaimed in amazement on X after sharing a video of a Chinese father's jaw-dropping DIY creations for his son. The clip featured some of his creations, including a transforming robot that shifts forms in seven seconds and a mechanical arm that fires "bullets" with pinpoint accuracy.
Yao Cong, a father from Changsha, the capital of Central China's Hunan Province, has been building sci-fi robots for his son Xiao Yi, using everyday materials like plastic bottles, cardboard, and scrap metal. Since May 2022, he has documented his creations on China's social media platform Douyin, according to a Hunan-based media outlet.
A self-taught mechanical designer and 3D modelling enthusiast, Yao has been a tinkerer since childhood. Now, he shares his passion for innovation with his son, teaching him programming, 3D printing, and engineering through hands-on projects. One standout project—a magnetic cannon launcher—took three months to perfect, during which Xiao Yi, still in elementary school, mastered the basics of electromagnetic propulsion.
Their creations, often costing less than 500 yuan ($70), combine imagination with advanced technology like hydraulic systems and bionic mechanics, said the report. "People should have dreams and keep reshaping the world," Yao said. "This is also about fulfilling my own childhood dreams."
A video clip shows their home resembling a mini robot museum, where a transforming robot patrols the living room, a mechanical arm hits bullseyes with precision, another assists with laundry, and a robotic backpack spreads its wings to fire "bullets" before transforming into a speedy car.
A robotic backpack, as seen in the video, spreads its wings behind Xiao Yi, launches "bullets" swiftly, and transforms into a small car that speeds across the floor, bringing him endless fun.
The tech-savvy duo also caught the attention of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who shared one of their videos on X, calling it "A hardcore dad engineered a robot toy for his son that's straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster." Some foreign netizens flooded to her comment section with praise: "Cool and smart dad!!" and "This is ingenious…Amazing!!!"
After Mao's thumb-up, China Central Television (CCTV) reposted Yao's videos, also amassing over 420,000 likes. Commenters hailed the duo as proof that 'true genius thrives among ordinary people."
Global Times
