World Humanoid Robot Games opens in Beijing with 2,056 robots

The second World Humanoid Robot Games opened in Beijing on Saturday at the National Speed Skating Oval, bringing together 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries for a five-day competition demonstrating advances in humanoid robotics, according to CGTN.

Expanded format features 51 events

The competition has expanded significantly from last year's inaugural games, which featured only three days and six sessions, with this year's program comprising 51 events and 1,301 competitions across nine sessions. Organizers said the combination of sporting events, artistic performances and challenges demonstrates practical applications of humanoid robots in real-world scenarios.

Sports and scenario-based challenges

Of the 51 events, 30 are competitive sports testing robots' mobility, coordination and balance, while 21 focus on scenario-based challenges requiring complex task performance, according to the Chinese broadcaster. The sporting competitions simulate human athletic environments to assess mechanical precision, providing an international platform for companies and research institutions to showcase technological innovations.

Unitree robot breaks speed record

A humanoid robot developed by Chinese firm Unitree reached a top speed of 12.66 meters per second during the games, surpassing Usain Bolt's 100-meter record pace of 12.42 meters per second. The achievement highlights rapid advances in humanoid robot mobility and athletic performance capabilities, underscoring the technological progress displayed at the five-day event.