Robots that participated in the Beijing Games now have to work

The second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing has introduced a new focus on practical labor, moving beyond traditional athletic demonstrations. While previous iterations prioritized physical feats such as running, jumping, and playing soccer, the current event mandates that participating machines demonstrate their ability to perform functional tasks.

To facilitate this shift, organizers have significantly expanded the competition's scope. The number of task-inspired scenarios has increased from six to twenty, requiring robots to prove their utility in real-world work environments rather than strictly athletic contexts.