World Humanoid Robot Games Open in Beijing with Record-Breaking Performances

The second World Humanoid Robot Games opened in Beijing on Saturday with striking demonstrations that included a humanoid robot running 100 metres in 9.39 seconds—faster than Usain Bolt’s human world record of 9.58 seconds.

Held at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the Ice Ribbon, the event runs through Wednesday and has drawn 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries across six continents. Participation has more than doubled compared with the inaugural edition.

In addition to athletic events such as high jump, long jump, weightlifting and table tennis, the programme features 21 scenario-based contests testing robots in workplaces, including factory assembly, hotel service, home tasks, logistics and emergency rescue.

Organisers have expanded the competition to 51 categories and more than 1,300 matches. New events emphasise dexterity, with tasks such as assembling power tools, picking beans with tweezers and connecting flexible cables.

The Tien Kung Ultra robot from Beijing-based X-Humanoid set the sprint and high-jump marks during the opening. Teams from the United States, Germany, Japan and a Brazilian national side formed from RoboCup champions are among the international entrants.

The games coincide with China’s push to advance humanoid robotics for both competitive and practical applications.