Humanoid robots sprint, play soccer and set records at Beijing games, in photos

Robots compete at the Free Combat event of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

By ACHMAD IBRAHIM

Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]

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BEIJING (AP) — More than 2,000 humanoid robots run, play table tennis and soccer, and are setting records at the ongoing World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, highlighting China’s rapid advances in robotics amid a tech race with the United States.

Spectator looking robots perform during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) A humanoid robot is carried off the field after competing in the 1500m run race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A humanoid robot is carried off the field after competing in the 1500m run race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A humanoid robot is carried off the field after competing in the 1500m run race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

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Humanoid robots compete in the tug of war during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Humanoid robots are playing soccer ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Humanoid robots are playing soccer ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Humanoid robots are playing soccer ahead the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

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A humanoid robot is carried off the field after competing in the 1500m run race during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)