Humanoid robots showcased hip-hop dance moves, martial arts skills, and musical performances on keyboard, guitar, and drums at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday evening.
The three-day competition is beginning on Friday, features more than 500 robots from 280 teams representing 16 countries — including the United States, Germany, and Japan — competing in sports such as football, running, and boxing. The event is part of China’s drive to advance humanoid robotics powered by artificial intelligence.
During the opening ceremony, robots demonstrated various sports, with some cheering and performing backflips to mimic a real sporting atmosphere. A robot footballer scored after several attempts, prompting the goalkeeper to collapse dramatically. Another fell but managed to stand up without assistance.
Robots also participated in a fashion show, modelling hats and clothing alongside human models. In one mishap, a robot toppled over and had to be carried off stage by two people.
Participants include robotics companies, leading Chinese universities such as Tsinghua and Peking University, and three middle schools.
China’s People’s Daily quoted a Beijing official as saying, “Every robot that participates is creating history.”
Tickets for the games, which run until Sunday, are priced between 180 yuan ($25) and 580 yuan ($80).