This is the amusing moment an automaton was winning a rave - only to jog over to the referees during the Robot Olympics in China.

Footage shows the black athletic bot sprinting alongside its competitors when it suddenly halted in the middle of the track and dashed toward the arbiters sitting at the side of the track in Beijing.

The machine charged at the startled officials, but its quick-thinking operator managed to regain control of the malfunctioning bot during the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games on August 16.

The man, holding a controller, then positioned himself behind the robot and manipulated the buttons to guide it back onto its right lane and continue the race.

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 and China Central Radio and Television, 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.'

A military-style robot dog has even been spotted protecting President Donald Trump's home in Florida.

Meanwhile, eccentric billionaire Elon Musk recently unveiled Optimus, describing it as a multi-functional assistant capable of handling household chores, playing with children, and performing repetitive tasks.