The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games concluded in Beijing on Sunday with finals and a closing ceremony, marking the world's first event that integrates sports, arts and applied scenarios. From sprint tracks to football pitches, international teams showcased breakthroughs that pushed the limits of athletic performance, while cross-disciplinary collaboration highlighted the potential of human-robot symbiosis, advancing the frontier of embodied intelligence.

A staff member adjusts the robots at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on August 13, 2025. Photo: Li Hao/GT

In highlight events, Unitree Robotics clinched gold medals in the 1,500 meters, 400 meters, 4x100 meters relay and 100-meter hurdles. Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robots's the Tiangong Ultra robot won the 100-meter sprint with a time of 21.50 seconds. In 5v5 football final, Tsinghua University's Hephaestus team defeated Germany's HTWK Robotics+Nao Devils 1-0 to claim the title, while China Agricultural University Mountain &Sea team secured the 3v3 football championship.

Each half of 5v5 football match lasted around 15 minutes, and it was midway through the first half that Hephaestus' No.1 "player" struck from distance with a powerful long-range shot — rare in a tournament where most goals came from gentle pushes near the net. The tactic, based on an end-to-end algorithm, became their decisive edge as they held on to the narrow lead until the final whistle.

Before the match, Tsinghua's coach Zhao Mingguo, told the Global Times that victory was far from assured, given the strength of their German rivals. Max Polter, a member of the HTWK Robotics+Nao Devils team, echoed that sentiment, noting that their advantage lay in experience. "Our team was founded 16 years ago, and the code base has matured with us. That gave us an advantage when switching from the smaller Nao robots to the larger Booster series. Compared with plastic robots that easily toppled, the T1 is far more powerful in computing and more robust," Zhao told the Global Times.

Polter noted that the Games are as much about collaboration as competition. "We publish our code after tournaments, so other teams can build on it and share back new insights. That's the spirit of the game — fierce rivalry on the field, but collective progress off it. Here in Beijing, we've felt truly welcomed. From traditions like slow clapping whenever a robot falls to shared dinners that spark ideas, events like this go beyond sport to become platforms for global cooperation," he said.

Antonio Fernando, a professor at the University of Minho in Portugal and head of the Portuguese team, told the Global Times it was their first attempt with humanoid robots after years of competing with wheeled models. "We've been part of RoboCup since 1999, but humanoids are new to us. They move slower and less precisely, which makes the challenge tougher but also more exciting," he said. Rivero praised the Chinese-made Booster robots as "extremely robust, able to fall repeatedly without breaking," noting that while his team lost its first two games, they have gained valuable experience and built software to be more competitive next time.

"Our priority is science, not the scoreboard," he added. "We focus on strategy — passing, avoiding obstacles and even training the goalkeeper to extend a leg and stay upright. It may not win games yet, but it's valuable for research." Rivero, who has visited China nine times since 1997, said he looks forward to deeper exchanges with Chinese teams. "Beijing and other cities always leave me with strong impressions. We hope to expand collaboration in humanoid robotics."

"We come from Amsterdam and have been working with humanoid robots since 2008. This year in Beijing, we're using larger and more powerful robots with stronger computing capabilities, which allow us to test advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms such as more accurate vision, smoother walking and dynamic kicking," said Harold, team leader of the Dutch Nao Team.

While the team has limited experience with the new models, Harold said the transition has been smooth. "Their size and weight make them challenging, but it's a valuable upgrade. The Boosters are exciting, and we can do much more than before," he said. As for tactics, Harold highlighted passing as the key: "Many teams focus on dribbling, but efficient passing could give us an edge in the quarterfinals."

"For most of us, this is our first time in China, and Beijing has been impressive," Harold added. "Although training keeps us busy, we've visited a few landmarks. We're also proud of our team shirts designed with Chinese elements for this trip."

Zhou Yuxi of High Torque Robotics told the Global Times that his team brought two humanoid robots, "Xiaohai" and "Xiaopai," to the games. Xiaohai completed the 1,500-meter race, while Xiaopai fell behind due to shorter legs, though its stability has improved after months of tuning. Zhou said small robots are designed for safety, low cost and family use, while larger ones will target industrial tasks and complex terrains. He noted China's rapid progress in humanoids and predicted companion robots could enter homes within a few years, though heavy-duty models may take longer to commercialize.

When asked whether Unitree's humanoid robot champion in track events would be adapted for broader use, CEO Wang Xingxing told the Global Times the company has long explored diverse scenarios, from industrial use and scientific research to AI development and certain service sectors. "Track and field isn't the same as real-world work, so algorithms built for competition aren't directly transferable," he said. "But sports provide a valuable testbed for hardware and software. If a robot can handle fitness, intense exercise and long-distance running, you can trust it to perform reliably in daily life."

Zhao Dongwei, head of market development for the Organizing Committee of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, told the Global Times that the event is not only about sports, but also about testing and showcasing innovation. "The competitions allow us to evaluate robot capabilities in a fair and transparent environment, while also offering teams opportunities for exchange and improvement. With 280 teams from 16 countries and regions taking part — well beyond expectations — the Games highlight the world's rising focus to embodied intelligence."

Zhao added that the greater significance lies in fostering international cooperation. "Our goal is to build it into a regularly held international brand that drives continuous iteration of the robotics industry. With Beijing's innovation ecosystem and industrial clusters, we are confident that the Humanoid Robot Games can grow into a 'third Olympics' after the Summer and Winter Games, deeply integrating technology and sports."

The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, the first global competition dedicated to humanoid robots, ran from August 14 to 17 at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval. A total of 280 teams from 16 countries competed in 487 matches across 26 events, highlighting cutting-edge progress in intelligent decision-making and coordinated movement.