Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Weightlifting Robot Crashes as Humanoids Race and Lift in Beijing
A big competition for human-shaped robots is taking place in Beijing.
During a weightlifting event, one robot lost its balance and fell into the judges’ table.
People then carried the robot away on a stretcher.
Another robot successfully lifted a 16-kilogram barbell and won the first gold medal in the event.
The competition is testing how well robots can balance and handle heavy objects.
The games also include robot races.
Tiangong Ultra ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds.
That was faster than the 9.58-second time Usain Bolt set in 2009, although the robot race was part of the robot games.
More than 2,000 robots from 16 countries are competing in 51 events.
A weightlifting robot lost balance and crashed into the judges’ table during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
The incident occurred Monday during the weightlifting final, and the robot was carried away on a stretcher.
A Beijing Humanoid-HUST team robot won the event’s first gold medal after lifting a 16-kilogram barbell overhead.
The second games feature 51 competitions and more than 2,000 robots from 16 countries.
Tiangong Ultra reportedly ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds, ahead of Honor’s Lightning at 9.47 seconds.
- Who
- More than 2,000 robots from 16 countries, including Tiangong Ultra, Lightning, and a Beijing Humanoid-HUST team robot.
- What
- A weightlifting robot crashed into the judges’ table, while another robot won gold and Tiangong Ultra posted a 9.39-second 100-meter run.
- When
- The crash occurred on Monday during the weightlifting final; the 100-meter race took place on Saturday.
- Where
- The World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
- Why
- The games test humanoid robots in competitions involving balance, joint torque, stability, strength, and speed.
- Event
- Second World Humanoid Robot Games
- Location
- Beijing
- Competitions
- 51
- Participants
- More than 2,000 robots from 16 countries
- Weightlifting barbell
- 16 kilograms (35 pounds)
- Tiangong Ultra time
- 9.39 seconds over 100 meters
- Lightning time
- 9.47 seconds over 100 meters
- Usain Bolt’s cited record
- 9.58 seconds, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships