The world watched as Beijing hosted the inaugural humanoid robot games on August 15, 2025, marking a historic moment in the fusion of robotics and human-like competition. Held at the National Speed Skating Oval, which was originally built for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the games attracted hundreds of robotics teams from 16 countries.
The events featured a diverse array of competitions, from traditional sports like athletics and basketball to more practical tasks such as medicine categorization and cleaning. The robots, designed to mimic human forms, competed in grueling challenges, including the 100-meter hurdles and kung fu battles, showcasing both their impressive power and sometimes erratic movement.
Spectators watched with a mix of awe and amusement as robots from different countries performed various feats. In a five-a-side football game, robots roughly the size of 7-year-olds stumbled around the pitch, often colliding in chaotic scrums or tumbling over each other. Despite these setbacks, some robots, particularly those from the domestic champion Unitree, impressed the crowd in a 1500-meter race, effortlessly zooming along the track with impressive speed.
However, while the robots’ abilities were undeniable, they still lag behind their human counterparts. The fastest robot, who completed the 1500-meter race in 6:29:37, is far from the human men’s world record of 3:26:00. One particularly memorable moment occurred when a robot collided with a human operator, knocking them flat, but without causing any injury.
China’s robotics industry has seen significant growth in recent years, and the government’s support has been instrumental in this push. The event’s organizers highlighted China’s efforts to position itself at the forefront of robotics innovation. With ambitions to lead the world in this area, the Chinese government has placed humanoid robots at the heart of its national strategy. In fact, the country already holds the title of the largest market for industrial robots, and the government is investing heavily in supporting technology startups, including those in robotics and AI.
China’s Vice President Kashim Shettima recently announced a one-trillion-yuan fund to support such startups. The games in Beijing are part of a broader initiative to raise awareness and interest in robotics across society.
