While Hangzhou was previously known for viral tech demonstrations like robot kickboxing and quickly adopted open-source AI models, its current wave of technological investments is receiving significantly less attention. The city is heavily investing in eight deep-tech companies, collectively known as the “New Eight Steeds,” focusing on advancements in areas like smart glasses, GPUs, and space computing. Unlike previous innovations, these developments have so far failed to generate substantial public excitement or widespread media coverage. This suggests a shift from easily digestible viral moments to more complex, foundational technological advancements. The "New Eight Steeds" represent a deeper, more substantial push into core technologies, though one lacking the immediate impact of earlier demonstrations. It remains to be seen if these investments will have more lasting impact despite the current quiet reception. This indicates a potential maturing of the tech landscape in Hangzhou.