Humanoid robots surpassed human world records in sprinting events at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, yet faced technical hurdles in practical tasks such as cable connection. The five-day competition, which began on Saturday, featured 51 events, including 30 sports competitions and 21 scenario-based challenges simulating industrial and domestic environments.
Two robots eclipsed Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second 100-meter human record, while a single model completed the 400-meter dash in 39.7 seconds, outperforming Wayde van Niekerk’s 43.03-second human record. The event’s organizers emphasized that over 40% of contests required fully autonomous operation, testing robots’ adaptability beyond pre-programmed movements.
Beyond speed, robots competed in tasks like tug-of-war, weightlifting, and Tai Chi, as well as industrial and domestic simulations. Challenges included emergency incident handling, restaurant service, and a cable connection test assessing vision, mechanical alignment, and force control. Huawei, a technology partner, noted that braking issues arose during sprints due to high-intensity demands on battery management and thermal dissipation.
Spectators and industry figures underscored the event’s focus on practical applications. Robotics investor Xu Qiaosheng highlighted the increased intensity compared to 2025, stressing its implications for China’s industrial sector. Lumos Robotics Chief Executive Yu Chao argued that real-world value lies in robots performing end scenarios, not just physical feats. Zeroth’s chief marketing officer, Hua Rong, added that the competition’s ultimate test is whether robots can solve users’ problems post-sale.
The games also featured an autonomous humanoid tennis match, with Galbot staging singles and doubles events involving ball tracking, serving, and returning shots.
