Hajra Naz
Humanoid robots danced hip-hop. They performed martial arts. They even played drums and guitar at the opening of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday.
The show mixed fun with engineering. Machines backflipped and modeled clothing with human partners. Some even stumbled, which made the crowd laugh.
The contest runs for three days, starting Friday. It features more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries. These include the U.S., Germany, and Japan.
Events cover many areas. Robots compete in soccer, basketball, and 100-meter hurdles. They also take on practical tasks like cleaning and medicine sorting.
A Blend of Fun and Futuristic Challenges
At the National Speed Skating Oval—originally built for the 2022 Winter Olympics—spectators watched robots alternate between jerky tumbles and moments of surprising athleticism. In one five-a-side football match, the child-sized androids shuffled clumsily, often collapsing in heaps. Yet when one robot striker finally scored, the goalkeeper toppled over dramatically, drawing cheers.
Other competitions revealed just how far the technology has come. In the 1,500-meter race, domestic champion Unitree’s robots powered along the track with steady strides. One finished in 6 minutes, 29 seconds—well behind human records but impressive for a machine. At one point, a robot even barreled into a human operator and stayed upright while the human fell, thankfully unhurt.
Boxing and kung fu also featured prominently. A Transformer-like robot attempted a martial arts move before falling flat, only to spin around on the floor as the audience roared with encouragement.
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Robots in the Spotlight
The games are not only a competition but also a national showcase. Teams include leading Chinese universities such as Tsinghua and Peking, along with several middle schools. The presence of students reflects Beijing’s push to inspire the next generation of engineers.
“I believe in the next 10 years robots will be at the same level as humans,” said Chen Ruiyuan, an 18-year-old spectator preparing to study automation. “My favorite is boxing, because I can see how much they’ve improved.”
Parents brought their children, too. Cui Han, who attended with her 10-year-old son, said his school had organised and paid for the trip. “I hope it will encourage him to learn more about these new technologies,” she told AFP.
National Strategy
China has long dominated the industrial robot market and is now aiming to lead in humanoid robotics, powered by artificial intelligence. Authorities have placed humanoids at the “centre of their national strategy,” according to the International Federation of Robotics. In March, Beijing announced a one-trillion-yuan ($140 billion) fund for tech startups, including robotics and AI.
“The government wants to showcase its competence and global competitiveness in this field of technology,” the federation said in a paper released Thursday.
This isn’t China’s first high-profile robot event. In April, Beijing hosted what it called the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon.
A Mix of Triumphs and Mishaps
Not everything went smoothly. During the opening fashion show, one robot model toppled and had to be carried offstage by two humans. In another event, soccer robots collided and collapsed in a pile before slowly getting back on their feet. But for organizers and fans, the stumbles are part of the charm.
As one Beijing official put it, “Every robot that participates is creating history.”
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Looking Ahead
Tickets for the event range from 180 yuan ($25) to 580 yuan ($80), with thousands expected to attend before the closing ceremony on Sunday.
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games mark a milestone: the first global contest focused entirely on robots designed to look and act like humans. While human athletes may not be worried yet, the performances hint at how quickly the field is advancing.
As robots strut, sprint, and spar in Beijing, the games double as both entertainment and a glimpse of a future where humanoids may stand shoulder to shoulder with their creators.
