Robots can outrun humans, but can they plug in a cable?

China's humanoid robots are showcasing their speed, having outrun humans in the 100-metre sprint for the first time. The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing began on Saturday, featuring events that blend human sports with tests of robots' abilities in simulated real-world settings. Out of 51 events, 30 are sports competitions and 21 are scenario-based contests.

Over 40% of the games require robots to operate independently. Two robots recently sprinted faster than Usain Bolt's world record time in the 100-metre race. However, braking issues arose when the robots hit a thick mat placed after the finish line.

Robotics investor Xu Qiaosheng noted that the competition is more intense this year, posing significant challenges to the robots' battery management and thermal dissipation capabilities. The humanoid robots will participate in tug-of-war, weightlifting, Tai Chi, and even throwing arrow-like sticks into narrow-necked vases – a Chinese sport with a futuristic twist.

While the spectacle is impressive, the real test lies in how the robots perform in small, imperfect scenarios. This will determine whether they can identify objects, position their hands and bodies accurately, apply controlled force, and recover from errors without human intervention. Lumos Robotics CEO Yu Chao emphasized that the games can help improve hardware and provide a platform for showcasing the industry's potential.

However, the longer-term value depends on the robots' ability to solve real-world problems. The events will also include EV charging, restaurant work, emergency incident handling, and hand-dexterity contests, along with industrial assembly and material loading tasks. A cable connection challenge will test the robots' vision, mechanical alignment, and force control.

For Hua Rong, Zeroth's chief marketing officer, the true test lies in whether the product can solve users' problems after it's sold, following the demonstration phase.