China has launched the world’s first-ever Humanoid Robot Games

The world’s first-ever Humanoid Robot Games kicked off in Beijing on Friday, bringing together over 500 androids that alternated between clumsy stumbles and flashes of remarkable skill in events ranging from 100-metre hurdles to kung fu.

Held at the National Speed Skating Oval—built for the 2022 Winter Olympics—the competition has drawn hundreds of robotics teams from 16 countries. Events span classic sports like athletics and basketball, as well as practical challenges such as sorting medicines and cleaning tasks.

“I believe that within the next decade, robots will reach a level comparable to humans,” said 18-year-old spectator Chen Ruiyuan. Still, human athletes may not feel threatened just yet. In a five-a-side football match, for instance, ten child-sized robots shuffled awkwardly across the pitch, frequently tangling up or toppling over together.

Yet there were glimpses of serious potential. In the 1500-metre race, humanoids from domestic champion Unitree powered down the track at a brisk pace, finishing well ahead of competitors. The fastest robot completed the run in 6:29.37—far slower than the men’s human world record of 3:26.00, but still a feat for machines. In one dramatic moment, a robot collided with a human operator, knocking them to the ground while remaining upright itself.

Organisers say that while robot competitions have existed for decades, the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games is the first global event dedicated to human-shaped machines. The initiative aligns closely with China’s ambitions to dominate the robotics sector, with humanoid development placed at the heart of national strategy, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

The government has been actively promoting awareness of robotics across society. Cui Han, who attended with her 10-year-old son, said his school arranged and paid for the trip, hoping to inspire interest in new technologies. In March, China unveiled plans for a one-trillion-yuan fund to support startups in robotics and AI. Already the world’s largest industrial robot market, the country even hosted its first humanoid robot half-marathon in April.

For young spectators like Chen, who plans to study automation at university, the Games offer both inspiration and entertainment. “My favourite is the boxing—it demands agility, and I can see how much the robots have improved,” he said.

Not all performances were flawless. At the kung fu arena, a Transformer-like robot attempted a move, only to topple face-first. Struggling to rise, it spun on the floor to the crowd’s amusement—proof that while the humanoids may be the athletes of tomorrow, they still have a few falls to take today.