China opened the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games on 14 August with a 46-minute ceremony at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, repurposed from the 2022 Winter Olympics. The three-day event—described by organisers as the world’s first multi-sport meet for androids—features more than 500 robots fielded by 280 university and corporate teams representing 16 countries across five continents. Competition began on 15 August and ranges from Olympic-style contests such as track, football and boxing to practical tasks including hotel cleaning and medical sorting. Early highlights included a Unitree-built robot completing the 1,500 metres in 6 minutes 34 seconds, a standing high-jump record of 95.641 centimetres by ROBOTERA and Team PNDbotics’ victory in the martial-arts finals. Unitree machines also swept the podium in the 100-metre obstacle course, underscoring the company’s growing profile in embodied AI. Organisers say the Games provide a live test-bed for algorithms governing balance, coordination and group collaboration, generating data that could be applied to factory automation and elder-care. Spectators paid 128 to 580 yuan (about US$18–81) for seats that frequently saw robots tumble, self-right and resume competition, illustrating both advances and remaining limitations in humanoid design. China has channelled billions of yuan into robotics as it confronts an ageing workforce and intensifying technology rivalry with the United States. By showcasing domestic manufacturers such as Unitree and Fourier on an international stage, Beijing aims to position itself as a leader in next-generation ‘embodied’ artificial intelligence while building commercial and research partnerships worldwide. The Games conclude with a closing ceremony on 17 August.