Faster, stronger, (occasionally) upright: See humanoid robots compete in Beijing games

The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games – the latest and biggest incarnation of the Robot Olympics – began on Saturday in Beijing.

It combines events modelled on human sports with those designed to test the robots in simulated factories, restaurants, ​offices and in emergency situations.

Once a curiosity organised by academic teams and hobbyists, China’s robot games ‌have become a national showcase celebrated by state media — and, increasingly, a proving ground for commercial products from companies looking to show real-world applications beyond the spectacle.

Here, humanoid robots have broken Olympic sprint records and tackled workplace challenges from cable assembly to restaurant service, as staying upright and not catching fire after crossing the finish line test the machines’ limits.

Header image: A humanoid robot team competes during a cheerleading contest, during the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China on August 24. — Reuters