World Humanoid Robot Games Debut in Beijing

The opening ceremony of the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games took place in Beijing on Thursday evening. Humanoid robots showcased a variety of skills, including hip-hop dancing, martial arts, and playing musical instruments such as keyboard, guitar, and drums.

Starting on Friday, the competition features over 500 humanoid robots from 280 teams representing 16 nations, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan. These robots will compete in sports like soccer, running, and boxing. The event aligns with China’s increased focus on developing humanoid robots using artificial intelligence.

During the ceremony, robots demonstrated their abilities in soccer and boxing, performing intricate moves like cheering and backflipping to resemble real sporting events. One robot soccer player succeeded in scoring a goal after several attempts, toppling the goalkeeper robot. Another player fell but managed to rise on its own.

The opening event also included a fashion show where robots modeled trendy hats and outfits, accompanied by human models. In an accidental moment, a robot model fell and required assistance from two humans to leave the stage.

A highlight of the ceremony was a human performer leaping over robots dressed as terracotta warriors, adding a dramatic flair to the event.

Participants include teams from robot companies and prestigious Chinese universities like Tsinghua and Peking University, alongside three middle schools. China’s People’s Daily quoted a government official in Beijing, noting that each participating robot is part of creating history. The competition will continue for three days, wrapping up on Sunday. Tickets for the event are priced between 180 yuan ($25) and 580 yuan ($80).