World Humanoid Robot Games Kick Off in Beijing with Over 2,000 Competitors
The five-day event features sports and task-based competitions for robots from 16 countries.
The second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games commenced in Beijing, China, on August 22, bringing together more than 2,000 robots to compete in a variety of challenges. The event, held at the National Speed Skating Oval, is scheduled to run for five days, concluding on August 26.
A record 2,056 robots, registered by 666 teams, are participating in the games, which feature 1,301 matches. While the majority of participating teams are from China, 16 countries across six continents are represented.
The competition includes events modeled on human sports such as weightlifting, gymnastics, football, and tug of war, alongside Olympic-style track and field events. Additionally, 20 task-based competitions focus on work scenarios, requiring some robots to operate autonomously. Officials will award full points to independent robots, while semi-autonomous bots will receive half points.
The work scenario challenges involve dextrous hand tasks like bricklaying, power tool assembly, and package handling. These competitions are intended to showcase potential commercial applications for humanoid robots. However, this year's games will not feature events that include stairs, ladders, uneven terrain, or human-robot collaboration.
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The games are taking place at a time when robots have recently demonstrated impressive feats in China. Scientists have developed a prototype robot, nicknamed 'Superman,' which they claim can achieve speeds of 12.66 meters per second (28.3 mph), surpassing the world record of 12.42 meters per second (27.78 mph) set by Usain Bolt.
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This same robot prototype has reportedly demonstrated a standing vertical jump of two meters, exceeding the human world record of 1.7 meters. These claims, however, are from a company demonstration and have not yet been independently verified.
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Despite these advancements, challenges remain in robot performance. During a rehearsal for a humanoid half-marathon event in Beijing on April 19, one robot tripped and was extensively damaged. The incident occurred during practice sessions held between April 11 and 12, which aimed to simulate all aspects of the race, including navigation, timing, and emergency response.
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