Humanoid robots raced and punched their way through three days of a multi-sport competition at the World Humanoid Robot Games, wrapping up Sunday in Beijing.
But they also toppled, crashed and collapsed, requiring humans’ help and leading to questions about how far, after all, the robots can go on their own.
The games featured more than 500 humanoids on 280 teams from 16 countries, including the United States, Germany and Japan, that competed in sports such as soccer, running and boxing at the 12,000-seater National Speed Skating Oval, built for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The event comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence.
Robots were often seen close to their operators, whether they were controlled remotely, held, lifted, sorted or separated. Batteries needed replacing and limbs tuned.
Although the robots showed off some impressive moves, some tripped and human intervention was never far from the field. One had to be carried out by two people, like an injured athlete, in a display of the limitations the machines are still facing.
Their effect on the audience, however, was not unlike that of real athletes. Cheers erupted when a robot landed a punch, scored a goal, or won a game, showing that viewers were genuinely invested in the machines’ endeavors.
AI-powered robots are expected to be increasingly used in industrial settings.
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A technician fixes the arm of a robot during the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A technician assists a robot during a Soccer Event at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A robot crashes during a soccer match at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A technician assists a robot that fell during a soccer match at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Robots play soccer at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A referee announces the winner of a Free Combat event during the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Workers transfer a robot before the opening ceremony for the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A robot is pulled by its legs after it fell during the Free Combat event at the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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People attend the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A technician examines the head of a robot at the World Humanoid Robot Games Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Technicians guide robots away after they competed in a soccer event at the World Humanoid Robot Games Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Technicians check a robot after it fell during an event during the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Robots participate in the Free Combat event at the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A referee supports the head of a robot after it fell during the Free Combat event at the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A woman touches the hand of a robot that performed in the dance event at the World Humanoid Robot Games Beijing, China, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A robot competes in a race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A technicians works on robots during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Technicians work on robots before a soccer game at the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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A robot stands in front of the net at a soccer demonstration match between humans vs robots during the closing ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Winners from different games pose for celebratory photographs during the closing ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.
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Photos of Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games show how a human touch is still needed (2025, August 17)
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