Future CNY: how robots are helping to 'mind-write' the strokes of Chinese calligraphy

A robot arm, controlled by researchers' minds, writing the Chinese character for ox at the Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine under Tianjin University in China. Photo: Xinhua/Asia News Network

Hanging the Chinese character "fu" ("happiness" in English) on doors and walls is the most common and an important custom of Chinese New Year, which happens tomorrow.

The character, which expresses people's delight in the festival and their wishes for the coming year, is traditionally handwritten by calligraphers. But now, a robot arm has taken over the job at the Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine under Tianjin University in China.