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The World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG), described as the world's first large-scale competition for humanoid robots, opened in Beijing.
The event is organized jointly by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, China Media Group, the World Robotics Cooperation Organization and the RoboCup Asia-Pacific International Council.
The opening ceremony took place at the National Speed Skating Oval and featured dance and performance segments alongside humanoid robots demonstrating skills in running, kickboxing, tennis, table tennis and football.
In a demonstration race held ahead of the main competition, a robot named Tianzhuo, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, completed 100 meters in 9.39 seconds.
That time beat the men's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in Berlin in 2009.
At the first edition of the Games last year, the winning robot completed the same distance in 21.50 seconds. The improvement to 9.39 seconds within a single year illustrates the pace of development in humanoid robot technology.
This year marks the second edition of the WHRG, which organizers describe as the world's first large-scale robot competition spanning sport, performance and applied skills.
Robotics companies, universities, research institutes, robot clubs and enthusiasts from multiple countries are taking part, with the event positioned as a platform to showcase technological progress in the field.
The Games run until Aug. 26. Alongside athletics, boxing, and football, humanoid robots will compete in scenario-based challenges that test practical skills, including hotel room cleaning and pharmacy organization.
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