A robot unpacking competition at the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing concluded on Monday, putting contestants' delicate manipulation skills to the test.
As a sub-discipline of the dedicated competition for dexterous-hand, the unpacking challenge required robots to use a utility knife to slice through the sealing tape on express delivery boxes and remove the contents, all without damaging the items or significantly tearing the boxes. Scores were based on how many boxes each robot could successfully open within five minutes.
"My robot completed just one box in the preliminary round, but managed six today. We train hard every day because the precision requirements are extremely high. After cutting the tape, the robot has to open all four sides of the box so the item falls out naturally," said Wang Ruichao, a member of a competition team
Though simple for human, the task is deceptively demanding for robots to handle on their own. With a narrow blade and small handle, the utility knife requires stable multi-finger gripping and the ability to align a blade just 0.5 millimeters thick against the tape. That pushes robots to demonstrate not only object recognition and precise control, but also bimanual coordination and multi-step planning, experts said.
"The hardest part is pushing out the blade of the knife. That motion alone is very difficult. During cutting, grip strength and sensitivity vary, and incidents can happen. For example, the knife can slip. In face of such circumstances, the robot has to reposition it properly, which tests its force-control sensing," said chief referee Wang Shilong.
From picking up the knife and extending the blade to completing the cut, the routine demands comprehensive control of force, angle, and precision, as well as deep coordination between robotic arms and intelligent algorithms. Industry insiders noted that skills tested in such tasks are expected to find wider use in logistics sorting, precision instrument assembly, and other real-world scenarios where humanoid robots can add practical value.
Robots race to unpack boxes at Humanoid Robot Games, showcasing delicate manipulation
A Chinese envoy said on Monday that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way to resolve the Ukraine crisis, calling on the international community to build momentum for peace talks and create conditions for an early political settlement.
In their briefing at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Monday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said July was the deadliest month since May 2022, while UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said that at least 437 civilians were killed and more than 2,600 others injured that month.
Also at the meeting, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called for an end to the fighting and greater protection for civilians.
He warned that to allow the situation to further deteriorate and escalate only deepens human suffering, destabilizes the region, and threatens global stability.
"Fighting on the ground is escalating, and the humanitarian toll is mounting. For more than a month, the two sides have been locked in a new round of fierce fighting, resulting in numerous casualties, damage to a large number of civilian facilities such as energy, food, and material storage, and attacks on third-party ships and assets, which is deeply distressing and worrying," Fu said.
The Chinese envoy said China advocates joint efforts to de-escalate the situation, initiate a peace process, and seek fundamental solutions. "Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way out of the Ukraine issue. Currently, dialogue efforts remain stalled as deep differences persist among key stakeholders. China calls on all relevant parties to continue demonstrating political will, strive to start and sustain talks, gradually build consensus, and work towards a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement," Fu said.
He said that China's position on the Ukraine issue remains objective, fair, and consistent, adding China promotes peace talks in its own way and supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
China stands ready to work with the international community and continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the conflict, Fu said.
China emphasizes dialogue, negotiation as only viable path to resolve Ukraine crisis
