Robots compete at the Free Combat event of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
BEIJING (AP) — More than 2,000 humanoid robots run, play table tennis and soccer, and are setting records at the ongoing World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, highlighting China’s rapid advances in robotics amid a tech race with the United States.
Spectator looking robots perform during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robot play soccer during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)A humanoid robot lies on the floor with its remote control before competing in the free combat, at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)A humanoid robot is carried off the field after competing in the 1500m run race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Humanoid robots compete in the tug of war during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots are prepared ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Humanoid robot competes in the 100m race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Humanoid robot hit the barrier at the end of the 100m race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots are prepared ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Humanoid robots compete in dance during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Dancers and robots performs during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots compete at the Free Combat event of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots walk during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots are prepared ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)A humanoid robot lies on the floor with its remote control during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Humanoid robot are seen hanging during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)A robot competes in the 400m obstacles final during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)Robots compete at the Free Combat event of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)A robot competes in the 400m during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
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