China recently made history by hosting the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games—think of it as the Olympics, but for robots. This three-day event, which began on August 14, took place at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, a venue originally constructed for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Over 200 teams from 16 countries, including renowned robotics hubs like Japan, Brazil, Germany, and the U.S., participated in 26 diverse competitions ranging from track-and-field events and gymnastics to kickboxing, soccer, medicine sorting, and hotel cleaning.
These games aimed to showcase China’s advancements in robotics and the potential applications for humanoid machines in everyday scenarios.
The event aligns with China’s determined strategy to lead the global robotics race, having invested over €18.5 billion in subsidies in the past year alone. Plans are underway for a one trillion yuan (€137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups, as reported by Reuters. In response, U.S. robotics companies, like Tesla and Boston Dynamics, have called on lawmakers to develop a competitive national strategy as well. This event followed other prominent showcases, including China’s first robot mall and the 2025 World Robot Conference, both held in Beijing this month.
Even prior to this month, China has leveraged high-profile events to highlight its technological advancements, including a robot half-marathon and dancing humanoid robots featured in its Lunar New Year’s Eve TV gala, which was watched by millions, as noted by The New York Times.
At the Games, some humanoid robots showcased remarkable skills. The first gold medal was awarded to Unitree Robotics, whose H1 humanoid completed the 1,500-meter race in just 6:34 seconds. Founder and CEO Wang Xingxing mentioned to local media that while he envisions future robots functioning autonomously, many are still operated remotely. Notably, the H1 humanoid robot is priced around €90,494 (650,000 yuan).
However, not everything went as planned, highlighting existing technological limitations. Several robots froze at the starting line or failed to finish their races, and one even lost an arm during competition. In a soccer match, one hapless robot accidentally caused a pile-up.
China’s Dominance in the Games
It’s no surprise that Chinese firms triumphed at the Games.
Hong Kong-based investment firm Shoucheng Holdings celebrated their achievement, noting that companies within its portfolio collectively earned 37 medals: 12 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze, as highlighted in a press release.
Unitree Robotics and X-Humanoid stood out as the biggest medal winners. Unitree secured 11 medals, with four golds in the 400-meter dash, 1,500-meter race, 100-meter hurdles, and 4×100-meter relay. Following closely, X-Humanoid, officially known as the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, boasted 10 medals, including golds in the 100-meter sprint and a “materials handling” contest emulating factory floor tasks.
What are humanoid robots capable of today in real-world applications? As robotics technology evolves, potential uses include assistance in healthcare, hospitality, and even manufacturing.
How can humanoid robots enhance daily life? These machines have the potential to increase efficiency in various sectors, from healthcare support to personal companionship.
What challenges do humanoid robots still face? While they demonstrate impressive abilities, issues such as operational failures and limitations in autonomous functioning remind us that there’s still significant development needed.
If you’re intrigued by the future of robotics and technology, continue exploring more insights and stories at Moyens I/O. Your curiosity could unlock new paths in this exciting field.