China launches world’s first humanoid robot game

The debut of the world’s first humanoid robot sports games

Beijing kicked off a historic series of competitions Friday, as more than 500 androids jostled between awkward tumbles and flashes of genuine skill.

Event highlights

• From 100‑metre hurdles to kung‑fu demonstrations, robots showcased a range of athletic prowess.
• More than 500 robots from 16 countries flew into the National Speed Skating Oval, a venue originally built for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
• Traditional athletics and basketball were joined by tasks such as medicine categorisation and room cleaning.

Robot athletes: a glimpse of the future

“I believe in the next 10 years or so, robots will be basically at the same level as humans,” said enthusiastic 18‑year‑old spectator Chen Ruiyuan, a fan of the event.

Human athletes may still be a step behind. In an early routine on Friday morning, a five‑aside football match featured 10 robots, the size of seven‑year‑olds, scrabbled around the pitch. Many struggled in a tangled scrum or fell over in mass.

Humanoid Showdown Sparks Beijing’s Robot Games

Friday’s freestyle clash between two humanoid bots drew a wild crowd in Beijing. While the robots circled one another, the event’s headline match focused specifically on machines with human‑shaped bodies.

Race to the Finish Line

• Unitree’s domestic champions sprinted 1,500 m in 6:29:37, outpacing rivals with ease.
• The distance fell short of the human men’s record of 3:26:00, yet stamped the event’s competitive edge.
• One mechanical racer barreled straight into a human operator; the bot stayed upright while the operator flattened but showed no injury.

China’s Humanoid Blueprint

Robot contests have trended for decades, but the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games mark the first focus exclusively on human‑like robots.

The International Federation of Robotics described Beijing’s strategy: “Humanoid robots are at the centre of national priorities.”

• The government aims to showcase competence and global competitiveness in this field.
• Authorities work to raise public awareness of the sector across society.

School‑Inspired Spirit

Educational support surfaced when Cui Han carried her 10‑year‑old son, who class organised and paid for the trip to the Games.

“I hope it will encourage him to learn more about these new technologies,” she told AFP.

Future Funding Trail

In March, China unveiled a one‑trillion‑yuan fund to back tech startups, covering robotics and AI.

World Humanoid Robot Games: Robots on the Field

During the World Humanoid Robot Games, mechanical‑beast teams played a 5×5 foot football match where knock‑downs were common. The event, held in Beijing, showcased the nation’s position as the largest robotics market in the world.

Automated Aspirations

• Future Student: A spectator named Chen announced plans to pursue university studies in automation.
• Motivation: “Studying here fuels my passion,” Chen told AFP, praising the robots’ agility and noting significant progress.

Boxing & Kung Fu Showdowns

• Boxing Arena: People cheered as robots attempted boxing moves that highlighted their increasing speed and balance.
• Kung Fu Surprise: A tiny robot resembling a Transformer performed a trick; it toppled to its front, spun around the floor, and struggled to regain its footing while the crowd lived up to the challenge.

Highlighting Humanoid Innovations

Beijing’s half‑marathon, described as the world’s first humanoid robot event, attracted worldwide attention. The robots’ improved agility in both football and martial arts competitions demonstrated an upward trend in robot design and coordination.