World Humanoid Robot Games continue in Beijing

The second World Humanoid Robot Games continued Monday in Beijing, with robots competing in sporting contests and challenges designed to test their practical abilities.

Monday's program included 400-meter obstacle races, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 football matches, freestyle fighting and gymnastics competitions.

Humanoid robots also performed warehouse, repair and service-related tasks, including arranging packages, handling materials and completing maintenance work.

The five-day event opened Saturday at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, known as the Ice Ribbon, and will run through Wednesday.

A total of 2,056 robots from 666 teams representing 16 countries and six continents are participating in 51 events and 1,301 contests.

The participants include robotics companies, universities, research institutions, clubs and independent development teams.

The program comprises 30 competitive events and 21 scenario-based events. Sporting categories include athletics, gymnastics, football, martial arts, weightlifting and dancesport.

Scenario-based contests test robots in environments such as factories, hotels, homes, logistics facilities and emergency response operations. Tasks include sorting materials, tightening screws, providing hotel services and conducting rescue work.

The event aims to demonstrate advances in humanoid robotics while testing machines' speed, balance, coordination, decision-making and ability to perform tasks that could eventually be used in workplaces and homes.

The competition has expanded significantly since its inaugural edition in 2025, when 280 teams and more than 500 robots participated in 26 events.

This year's number of teams has increased by 138%, while the number of participating robots has roughly quadrupled.