Participation in Second World Humanoid Robot Games Quadruples

The number of robots set to participate in the second World Humanoid Robot Games has increased fourfold compared with last year’s inaugural event, organisers said on Thursday (13/8).

The event, scheduled to take place in Beijing on 22–26 August, has attracted 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries, said Jiang Guangzhi, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, at a press conference.

Participating robots come from major robotics powers such as the United States, Germany and Japan. Brazil has also formed a national team comprising five RoboCup squads, Jiang said.

Domestic participation from China includes 641 teams and 1,975 robots from 157 companies as well as 200 universities and research institutions, including leading Chinese robotics firms and 27 of China’s top universities, according to the official.

Organisers said this year’s event will feature more than 30 disciplines, including several newly added categories such as long jump, weightlifting, tug-of-war and table tennis.

These disciplines are designed to test robots’ motion control capabilities, structural design and core components.

Scenario-based competitions will also be expanded to real-world environments, including factories, hotels, homes and logistics facilities.

Tasks such as assembly, household chores, emergency response and library book sorting will test robots’ ability to perform practical duties in challenging environments.

Jiang said many of the competition’s rules are expected to evolve into practical technical standards, helping to transform technological progress into industrial application.

“Once robots master these ‘last metre’ skills, they can turn medals into orders and move directly from the competition arena to real-world workplaces,” Jiang said.

The first World Humanoid Robot Games, held in August 2025, was attended by 280 teams and more than 500 humanoid robots from 16 countries.