Beijing, August 14, 2025 (Agencies): The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG) opened Thursday evening at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, launching the world’s first Olympic-style competition dedicated to humanoid robots with a technology-driven spectacle.
The 46-minute opening ceremony blended advanced robotics with music, street dance, Peking Opera, martial arts, and Chinese cultural motifs. Highlights included a futuristic fashion runway featuring robots and human models in “China-chic” attire, as well as appearances by robot versions of Chinese mythological hero Ne Zha and the famed Terracotta Warriors. A parade of robot contingents, international teams, and student groups preceded the “Smart Core” lighting ceremony, marking the official start of the Games.
The WHRG, running through Sunday, brings together 280 teams from 16 countries with more than 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 event categories and 538 competitions. Events range from robot football and freestyle combat to dance performances and service scenarios such as hotel reception and medical sorting.
Among the most anticipated contests are the 3v3 and 5v5 humanoid football matches, which demand advanced perception, motion control, and multi-robot tactical cooperation. Organisers say these capabilities mirror real-world applications in urban navigation, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous decision-making.
A joint team from the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence and Unitree Robotics will debut a self-developed bipedal humanoid robot, competing in solo dance, hotel cleaning, and guest reception. Their CLOSE system aims to solve key challenges in full-body humanoid teleoperation and long-duration task stability.
With 97 overseas media outlets and 282 international journalists covering the Games, organisers say the event underscores growing global interest in humanoid robotics and its potential to transform daily life. Competitions officially begin Friday, with technology experts predicting advances in human-like movement and balance will soon make humanoid robots more versatile and intuitive.