Explore the future of robotics at the 2026 World Robot ...
Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games 2 MIN READ 171 Visitors watch robots demonstrate boxing moves at a booth of Unitree, one of China's largest humanoid robot makers, during the World Robot Confere...
Key takeaways
- Humanoid robotics is dominating headlines this month as China’s Unitree Robotics celebrated a blockbuster Shanghai IPO that sent its shares soaring more than 460 % above the offer price, while its founder warned that a “ChatGPT moment” for humanoid robots—where they can generalize across tasks and execute precise movements—may still be a decade away.
- The company’s newest “Superman” robot captured global attention at the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, where it sprinted 12.66 metres per second—faster than Usain Bolt’s record pace—and jumped over six feet, setting new benchmarks for speed and agility.
- More than 2,000 robots from 16 countries competed across 51 events, including soccer matches, kickboxing demos and high‑jump challenges, underscoring rapid progress but also highlighting that many robots remain more suited to spectacle than practical work.
- Federal Communications Commission has imposed a ban on new imports of foreign‑made humanoid and quadruped robots, citing national‑security concerns, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing.
- Industry analysts note that despite these technical feats, humanoids still lag humans in efficiency and learning speed, and Chinese firms such as UBTECH are pushing into emotional‑care applications with lifelike faces, though their market viability remains uncertain.
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Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games
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Visitors watch robots demonstrate boxing moves at a booth of Unitree, one of China's largest humanoid robot makers, during the World Robot Conference at the Beijing Yichuang International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Shares in Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree soar in its Shanghai trading debut
2 MIN READ
A worker reacts near a line of humanoid robots displayed at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
US bans foreign-made humanoid robots, targeting China over national security
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But among those drawing the most attention were humanoid robots with lifelike faces, promoted for emotional care.
Jiao Jichao, deputy president of UBTECH Robotics, said one of its emotional-care humanoids can talk, make various facial expressions, rotate its neck and move its hands. And it is available to individual buyers. The price: 168,000 yuan (more than $24,000).
But despite the increasingly sophisticated displays, experts say many humanoid robots remain more impressive as performers than as practical workers.
Several companies showcased helper robots equipped with mechanical arms and hands. At one booth, a robot attempted a seemingly simple household chore: folding a shirt. After several minutes of trying, it couldn’t do it. The conference comes weeks after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move targeting China. The prohibition also covers new imports of quadruped robots, often referred to as four-legged robot dogs. The agency said advanced robots could pose cybersecurity and other national security risks.
UBTECH, another of China’s leading robotics companies, brought several industrial models to the conference. Some demonstrated tasks such as moving components around as they might on a factory floor.
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