Thirty teams from across the globe have converged in Beijing for the first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games, set to kick off August 14-17. The event marks a milestone in robotics development, featuring fully autonomous 5-on-5 soccer matches where AI-powered machines demonstrate dribbling skills, tactical decision-making, and self-recovery capabilities.
Teams from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, and China’s Shanhai Team – recent runners-up at Brazil’s RoboCup – will compete using standardized humanoid robots from Chinese firm Booster Robotics. “The hardware platform excels at ball control, allowing us to focus on refining perception algorithms,” explained Yang Shaoshuai, leader of the China Agricultural University team.
While current robot capabilities remain comparable to a young child’s soccer skills, rapid advancements are evident. Portugal’s University of Minho team developed custom software and 3D-printed feet for their robots in just two weeks. “We’re building everything from the ground up,” said team member Antonio Ribeiro.
China continues positioning itself at the forefront of humanoid robotics, using competitive sports to accelerate real-world AI applications. The games highlight both international collaboration and technological rivalry, offering investors and tech enthusiasts a glimpse into tomorrow’s automation landscape.
