World Humanoid Robot Games to host 666 teams in Beijing
The 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games is scheduled for August 22 to 26 in Beijing, with robots from 666 teams and 16 countries due to compete. In a post on X, Li Zexin announced the dates and framed the event as a showcase of sharply improved humanoid running.
Li compared footage associated with the 2025 and 2026 editions, writing: “Last year, they ran like pupils. This year, they run like athletes.” The characterization is Li’s commentary, not an independently verified performance result. His post does not identify the robots shown or provide timed results, course conditions or other data that would allow a direct technical comparison.
Running remains a visually clear but limited test of humanoid locomotion. Faster motion can demonstrate progress in balance, control and mechanical performance, but an 11 second comparison cannot establish how consistently the robots perform or whether conditions were equivalent. The World Humanoid Robot Games will provide a larger competitive setting when the Beijing event begins on August 22.
Source: @XH_Lee23 on X
