Humanoid Robots Contest 100m, Soccer and Combat at 2026 Beijing Games

3 articles · Updated · The Atlantic · Aug 24

Beijing’s 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games showed robots competing across 100m sprints, 400m obstacles, 1,500m races, long jump, soccer, tennis, table tennis, tai chi and combat.
Images from August 22-24 captured both capability and fragility: robots fell in races, one was carried off on a stretcher after a 100m heat, and staff removed malfunctioning machines from the track.
One robot caught fire after a preliminary race, prompting staff to use fire extinguishers, while technicians were also seen guiding robots during rehearsals and competition.
The event’s opening ceremony at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval featured robot parades, drumming performances and an oath by Honor’s robot “Blitz,” underscoring the showcase’s mix of sport and technology display.