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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025: First-Of-Its Kind Event Kicks Off In Beijing

The first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games began in Beijing, China on Friday (August 15, 2025). The three-day event features more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany and Japan, competing in sports like football, running and boxing. The event comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. During the opening ceremony, the robots demonstrated football and boxing among other sports, with some cheering and backflipping as if at a real sports event. One robot football player scored a goal after a few tries, causing the robot goalkeeper to fall to the ground. Teams from robot companies and Chinese universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University are competing in the games. Three middle schools are also participating.

China Humanoid Robot Games 2025 day 1 best photos_opening ceremony
World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Robots march in for the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Participants march in with wheeled robots during the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A robot rehearses the 100m race before the opening ceremony of The World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A model poses near robots during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Human performers dance near robots during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A robot representative takes a oath during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Human operators prepare robots at the Dance event for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A man dressed as a banana stands near robots being prepared for a soccer event at the World Humanoid Robot Gamesf in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A human operator interacts with a robot at the Free Style event for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Robots compete in a soccer event at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A human operator tries to keep up with a robot in the 1500m event for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Robots take part in the Free Combat event for the World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

A operator monitors a robot competing in the Factory Scenario Material Sorting event for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 Day 1 | Photo: AP/Ng Han Guan

Robots compete in the Factory Scenario Material Sorting event for the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China.

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