Athletic automatons competed in track and field at the first World Humanoid Robot Games in China.

Footage shows four robots of various sizes standing still at the starting line inside the Beijing National Speed Skating Hall on August 14.

A race starter stood in the middle of the course before stepping aside and raising his arm to signal the robots to get ready, then lowering it to start the race.

When the competition began, a smaller bot initially took the lead, but in the end, the third racer claimed victory, while the largest robot tumbled to the ground halfway through the run.

Spectators could be heard cheering for the robots, while others laughed in amusement.

In another clip, two robotic football teams went head-to-head in an entertaining 5v5 match.

The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, the world's first event of its kind, was held at the Beijing National Speed Skating Hall.

Sponsored by the Beijing Municipal People's Government, China Central Radio and Television, the World Robot Cooperation Organization, and the International Council of the Asia-Pacific Robot World Cup, the tournament featured 26 events across four categories — competitive competitions, scene competitions, exhibition matches, and external competitions.

The competitive events included track-and-field races like the 1500 meters, 5V5 robot football matches, high jump, and long jump, as well as other athletic challenges.

On April 19, the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon was held in the city, with 21 robotic athletes from across the country participating in the 13-mile (21 km) race.

The event marks a milestone in robot development, attracting residents to witness the breakthrough in futuristic technology.

China has been increasingly integrating robots into public life, deploying humanoid robots for community services, autonomous vehicles for public security, and service robots in hospitality and retail sectors.

On March 26, the G1 robot, created by Unitree and dressed in a stylish violet flowy top, made its debut at the Xintiandi show venue during Shanghai Fashion Week.

On March 4, Yushu Wang Xingxing, Founder and CEO of Unitree, sparred with the humanoid robot to demonstrate its combat skills in Zhejiang.

Human and animal-like robots are being developed in several countries, with China and the United States leading the 'tech arms race.'

Earlier this year, a military-style robot dog was even spotted protecting President-Elect Donald Trump in Florida.

Meanwhile, eccentric billionaire Elon Musk—who played a key role in Trump's recent U.S. election victory—recently unveiled Optimus, describing it as a multi-functional assistant capable of handling household chores, playing with children, and performing repetitive tasks.