Archive · 24 Aug 2026
World Humanoid Robot Games Showcase Robots Surpassing Human Sprint Records
The World Humanoid Robot Games are like a sports festival for robots shaped like people.
They are taking place in Beijing from August 22 to 26, 2026.
Robots compete in races, football, martial arts and gymnastics.
They also practice jobs such as hotel service, factory assembly, medicine sorting and rescue work.
This year, 2,056 robots are participating in 51 events.
One robot ran 400 meters faster than the human world record.
Another robot completed 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt’s recorded world mark.
The unusual results show that robot movement is improving quickly.
The Games also test whether robots can perform useful tasks outside laboratories.
Beijing is hosting the second World Humanoid Robot Games from August 22 to 26, 2026.
The event features 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries across 51 events.
Competitions include sports such as sprinting, football, martial arts and gymnastics, plus real-world tasks.
Tien Kung Ultra won the large-group 400-meter final in 38.15 seconds, faster than the human world record.
A humanoid robot ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds during competition, while Honor’s robot reportedly posted 9.32 seconds in a preparatory test.
- Who
- Robots from 666 teams, supported by companies, universities and research institutes from 16 countries, are competing.
- What
- The second World Humanoid Robot Games is an Olympic-style competition combining robot sports with practical scenario tasks.
- When
- August 22–26, 2026; the first edition was held in August 2025.
- Where
- The event is being held at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval in China.
- Why
- Organisers present the Games as a public stress test and showcase for humanoid robotics, including its potential use in manufacturing, healthcare and elderly care.
- Event
- Second World Humanoid Robot Games
- Location
- National Speed Skating Oval, Beijing
- Dates
- August 22–26, 2026
- Participation
- 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries across six continents
- Events
- 51 total: 30 sporting contests and 21 real-world scenario tasks
- Fastest reported 400-meter result
- Tien Kung Ultra: 38.15 seconds
- Fastest reported 100-meter result
- Honor’s robot, nicknamed Lightning: 9.32 seconds in a preparatory test