Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Chinese Humanoid Robots Break Human Records at Beijing Games
China held a sports competition where only humanoid robots could participate.
The five-day event took place in Beijing.
More than 2,000 robots competed in many different events.
One robot ran 100 meters faster than the human record associated with Usain Bolt.
Another robot jumped higher than the human high-jump record.
The robots were made to show how quickly the technology is improving.
The event also reflected competition between China and the United States in advanced robotics.
Experts said robots still need more development before they can be widely used in everyday jobs.
More than 2,000 humanoid robots took part in Beijing’s five-day World Humanoid Robot Games.
A robot from Beijing-based X-Humanoid ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds, faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second human record.
Another X-Humanoid robot reached 2.88 meters in the standing high jump, exceeding the human record of 2.45 meters.
The games included 51 events and more than 1,000 competitions, including running, table tennis and soccer.
Experts said humanoid robots remain mainly suited to demonstrations, performances and research rather than widespread real-world use.
- Who
- More than 2,000 humanoid robots, including robots from X-Humanoid, competed; organizers, robot makers, experts and spectators also discussed the event.
- What
- The World Humanoid Robot Games featured 51 events and more than 1,000 competitions, with robots setting reported records in the 100-meter sprint and standing high jump.
- When
- The games opened on Saturday and lasted five days; the event was in its second year.
- Where
- The games were held in Beijing at the National Speed Skating Oval, which was built for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
- Why
- The event demonstrated China’s advances in humanoid robotics amid intensifying technological competition with the United States.
Robotics Progress and Demonstration
Deployment and Security Concerns
Significance of the games
Robotics Progress and Demonstration
Organizers, robot makers and spectators presented the competition as evidence that humanoid robots are rapidly improving and can perform familiar human sports.
Deployment and Security Concerns
Experts said humanoid robots are still mostly used for demonstrations, performances and research, so competition results do not yet show widespread practical deployment.
China-U.S. technology relationship
Robotics Progress and Demonstration
The event showcased China’s large role in humanoid robotics during an intensifying technology race with the United States.
Deployment and Security Concerns
The United States has increased scrutiny of Chinese robots, citing national security concerns; China has rejected the accusations.
- Participants
- More than 2,000 humanoid robots
- Duration
- Five days
- Events
- 51 events and more than 1,000 competitions
- 100-meter result
- 9.39 seconds by an X-Humanoid robot; a separate Honor robot reportedly ran 9.32 seconds in a trial
- Standing high-jump result
- 2.88 meters by an X-Humanoid robot
- Venue
- National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing
- Human records cited
- 9.58 seconds for the 100 meters and 2.45 meters for the high jump
