More than 2,000 humanoid robots from 16 countries will compete in the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing from August 22 to 26. The event features 2,056 machines and 666 teams, quadrupling the robot turnout from last year's inaugural games, according to Xinhua.
Chinese teams dominate the roster, fielding 1,975 robots from 157 companies and 200 universities. International participants include teams from the US, Germany, Japan, and a Brazilian national squad comprising five RoboCup teams.
Testing Hardware and Practical Skills
The five-day competition includes 30 competitive and 21 scenario-based events. New athletic challenges this year include the long jump, weightlifting, tug-of-war, and table tennis. Jiang Guangzhi, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, stated that these events test motion control and core components, noting that marginal gains in jumping or lifting require rigorous testing of joint motors and reducers.
Other events test practical capabilities. Robots will sort library books, assemble industrial components, charge vehicles, and perform emergency rescue tasks. Beijing Information Science & Technology University is fielding 49 teams to compete in categories ranging from 5v5 soccer and 1,500-meter races to retail and hotel services. Yu Qingfeng, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, noted that robots previously outperformed humans during the 2026 Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in April, and organizers expect higher records at these games.
Why It Matters
Organizers intend to use the competition to establish technical standards for industrial use, turning competition rules into real-world benchmarks. The games also highlight China's dominant position in the commercial sector. According to Smart Analytics Global, Chinese manufacturers accounted for over 97% of global humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026. This rapid expansion recently prompted the US Federal Communications Commission to restrict authorizations for new foreign-made humanoid robots, citing national security risks.