Through the Lens: China's humanoid robot games
A selection of striking photos from across Asia
AUGUST 22, 2025
The World Humanoid Robot Games took place from Aug. 15-17 at the National Speed Skating Oval, a venue for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and included an opening ceremony a day earlier that featured robots that could dance and play musical instruments.
More than 500 androids showed off their capabilities during the world's first Olympic-style competition of its type. The event covered 26 sports, including a 400-meter sprint, soccer and table tennis.
The games are part of China's efforts to become a robotics powerhouse by strengthening its technological capabilities.
Humanoid robots fight during the kickboxing finals. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Humanoid robots fight during the kickboxing finals. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
The opening ceremony of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Aug. 14. (Photo by VCG/Getty Images)
The opening ceremony of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Aug. 14. (Photo by VCG/Getty Images)
Technicians wait with humanoid robots before the medal ceremony for the 3-on-3 football competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Technicians wait with humanoid robots before the medal ceremony for the 3-on-3 football competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Robots compete in the Group Dance event on Aug. 15. (Photo by VCG/Getty Images)
Robots compete in the Group Dance event on Aug. 15. (Photo by VCG/Getty Images)
A humanoid robot lays on the ground after being knocked down during a football match. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A humanoid robot lays on the ground after being knocked down during a football match. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Two robots compete in the 5-on-5 football final match between Team HTWK Robots + Nao Devils of Germany and Tsinghua Hephaestus from China's Tsinghua University. (Photo by Zhang Xiangyi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
Two robots compete in the 5-on-5 football final match between Team HTWK Robots + Nao Devils of Germany and Tsinghua Hephaestus from China's Tsinghua University. (Photo by Zhang Xiangyi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
A robot dressed like a Terracotta warrior gestures after winning in the dance category. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A robot dressed like a Terracotta warrior gestures after winning in the dance category. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Robots wait for their turns in the ring at the kickboxing event. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Robots wait for their turns in the ring at the kickboxing event. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Technicians check on robots on the sidelines during the football competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Technicians check on robots on the sidelines during the football competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
Staff members carry a robot across the ring during a kickboxing match. (Photo by Tingshu Wang/Reuters)
Staff members carry a robot across the ring during a kickboxing match. (Photo by Tingshu Wang/Reuters)
A robot raises its arms during the medal ceremony for the kickboxing competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A robot raises its arms during the medal ceremony for the kickboxing competition. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
A robot runs in a 400m race as a human technician follows alongside. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
A robot runs in a 400m race as a human technician follows alongside. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Unitree Robotics and Tiangong humanoid robots compete in the 100m final, which saw some participants fare better than others. (Photo by Florence Lo/Reuters)
Unitree Robotics and Tiangong humanoid robots compete in the 100m final, which saw some participants fare better than others. (Photo by Florence Lo/Reuters)
A robot and a child form heart shapes with their hands. (Photo by Jia Tianyong/Getty Images)
A robot and a child form heart shapes with their hands. (Photo by Jia Tianyong/Getty Images)