Robots running into walls go viral ahead of 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games

The second World Humanoid Robot Games will kick off this weekend in Beijing, China, gathering tech companies and university groups from around the world to test their robots across 50 events .

As such, entrants have been running last-minute tests in preparation for the competition, showcasing some impressive feats — and amusing failures.

Last year's inaugural Games featured over 500 robots from 280 teams , competing in 26 events.

These not only included sports such as floor gymnastics and soccer, but also competitions designed to test the robots' capabilities when working in hotel, factory, and hospital scenarios.

SEE ALSO: XPENG's new humanoid robot has breasts.

Here's why.

The Games have grown considerably this year, involving 2056 robots presented by 666 teams from across 16 countries.

New athletic events such as table tennis, tug of war, and weightlifting have been added, alongside expanded "scenario-based events" like assembling power tools, conducting a fire rescue, and charging an electric car.

They also have varying automation requirements.

While human operators are permitted in sporting events like long jump and kickboxing, the humanoid robots are required to act independently in ones such as breakdancing, cheerleading, and the 4x100-metre relay.

Though the rules for scenario-based events are less strict, allowing both automation and remote control, the scores for the latter are halved.

As such, entrants who submit fully autonomous robots have a definite edge.

Teams have come from across the world to compete.

Credit: Jia Tianyong / China News Service / VCG via Getty Images According to the World Humanoid Robot Games' website , participating robots are to "demonstrate a perfect balance of strength, speed, and flexibility" in the sporting events, while the scenario events will test them "on functionality and adaptability in real-world environments." "As the world's first multidimensional humanoid robot competition encompassing 'sports + art + application,' the Games adhere to the principles of fair competition, open innovation, safety control, and industrial synergy," the World Humanoid Robot Games states.