The First World Humanoid Robot Games Open in Beijing

On Thursday evening, humanoid robots showcased their talents at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The event featured robots dancing to hip-hop, performing martial arts, and playing musical instruments like the keyboard, guitar, and drums.

The competition officially starts on Friday, involving more than 500 humanoid robots forming 280 teams from 16 countries. Participants include teams from the U.S., Germany, and Japan. These robots will compete in various sports such as soccer, running, and boxing. China’s focus on advancing humanoid robots with artificial intelligence underpins the event.

A robot rehearsed for the 100m race before the ceremony began. During the opening ceremony, robots engaged in demonstrations of soccer and boxing, even performing cheers and backflips typical of a sporting event. In one notable moment, a robot soccer player scored a goal after multiple attempts, leading the robot goalkeeper to tumble to the ground. Another player fell but managed to stand up on its own.

The robots were also part of a fashion display, wearing stylish hats and clothes alongside human models. However, not everything went smoothly. At one point, a robot model fell and required assistance from two humans to leave the stage.

Teams competing in the games include those from robot companies and Chinese universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University. Additionally, three middle schools are participating. The People’s Daily, an official Chinese newspaper, quoted a Beijing government officer stating that each robot’s participation signifies making history.

The three-day event is set to conclude on Sunday. Public tickets are priced between 180 yuan (approximately $25) and 580 yuan (approximately $80).