The countdown to the first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games continues with organizers promising a spectacular showcase which will demonstrate the latest developments in the world of robotics as competitors are busy readying their robots for the competition.
The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, which will run from Aug. 14-17 at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval, will pit robots against each other in 26 categories ranging from traditional sports to practical workplace tasks.
As the first international competition of its kind for humanoid robots, the Games is bringing together 280 teams from 16 countries and regions around the globe, while over 500 humanoid robots representing 127 different brands will feature, including a series of self-developed models.
With soccer on the sporting agenda, teams have been busy putting their humanoid football players through their paces ahead of next week's big fixtures.
Training is taking place on the special soccer field which has been set up at the so-called "Panda Eye," located at the core venue of the world's first humanoid robot competition and training base. Featuring a 12-meter-high dome, its name comes from its hemispherical shape, which resembles a panda's eye when viewed alongside the surrounding architecture.
A team from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands are already working hard at the venue and hope their robots can deliver a tactical masterclass on the pitch.
"We are competing in the 5-v-5 football competition and now we try to put our strategy software onto these humanoid players. We try our best, and we hope for the best. So far, it's looking really cool, really good. The World Humanoid Robot Games is a really good initiative," said Peter, a member of the Tech United Eindhoven team.
The competition was already especially fierce among Chinese entrants, with over 250 teams from 110 universities battling it out during a series of qualifying rounds for a spot at the Games, with ultimately 192 teams from 70 Chinese universities being selected to participate in the finals.
The Games come amid a period of rapid development for the robotics industry in China and follows the first ever half-marathon for humanoid robots which took place in Beijing back in April.
Organizers say it marks another important moment in the fast-growing sector, giving developers the chance to show off their latest breakthroughs to the world.
"This Games stands as a milestone event for global humanoid robotics, fostering technical exchanges and collaboration in this field. As well as demonstrating the continuous advancement in robotics through competition, we should also work to advance towards a future of harmonious human-robot symbiosis," said Jiang Guangzhi, director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology.
Global teams gear up as World Humanoid Robot Games fast approaches
