{
  "id": 2776573,
  "title": "Chinese robots tackle tennis, smash track records at World Humanoid Robot Games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/chinese-robots-tackle-tennis-smash-track-records-at-world-humanoid-2776573",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-23T10:52:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Tech",
    "slug": "scmp-tech",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3364977/chinese-robots-tackle-tennis-smash-track-records-world-humanoid-robot-games"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During the World Humanoid Robot Games, hosted at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, humanoid robots showcased their prowess in various sports, including tennis and track events. A Galbot-developed robot engaged in a human-robot tennis match, competing against human players in singles and mixed-doubles demonstrations. Despite losing its balance at one point and subsequently regaining its footing, the robot successfully traded forehands and backhands with its human opponents.\n\nMeanwhile, the Tien Kung robot claimed victory in the 400-metre large-robot race final, completing the race in 38.15 seconds – a time that surpassed the human world record of 43.03 seconds. The second and third-place robots also finished below 40 seconds, further demonstrating the robots' impressive speed.\n\nThe 100 meters race saw a Tien Kung Ultra robot from the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre setting a new record, completing the sprint in 9.39 seconds – a feat that outpaced Usain Bolt's men's world record of 9.58 seconds. However, the competition was not without its challenges as robots occasionally failed, requiring staff intervention to help them continue or recover.\n\nAs the games progressed, a shift became evident in the robots' performance. With AI computing integrated, battery consumption increased, as highlighted by Huawei Technologies' David Li. The inclusion of 5G-advanced modules allowed robots to send sensor data to an embodied-intelligence system for processing, further emphasizing the growing importance of network coverage in these events.",
  "summary": "A tennis ball flew across the net. On the other side, a humanoid robot crouched, shuffled sideways in a series of quick steps, adjusted its position and swung its racquet to send the ball back. The robot traded forehands and backhands with human players during singles and mixed-doubles demonstrations. At one point, while chasing a ball, it lost its balance and toppled backwards, drawing gasps…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Technology",
        "title": "Robot horse and rider steal the spotlight at Chinese conference",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/robot-horse-and-rider-steal-the-spotlight-at-chinese-conference",
        "published": "2026-08-22T12:47:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/chinese-humanoid-robots-smash-human-records-in-100m-sprint-and-high",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:17:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/chinese-humanoid-robots-smash-human-records-in-100m-sprint-and-high-2615701",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:36:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Qatar Tribune Business",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/chinese-humanoid-robots-smash-human-records-in-100m-sprint-and-high-2662313",
        "published": "2026-08-22T21:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SCMP Tech",
        "title": "Are humanoid robots the future? Chinese makers instead highlight practical design",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/are-humanoid-robots-the-future-chinese-makers-instead-highlight",
        "published": "2026-08-23T03:00:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/chinese-humanoid-robots-smash-human-records-in-100m-sprint-and-high",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:24:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records in 100m sprint and high jump at Beijing robot games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/chinese-humanoid-robots-smash-human-records-in-100m-sprint-and-high-2745992",
        "published": "2026-08-23T08:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Chinese humanoid robot beats Bolt's 100-metre world record time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/chinese-humanoid-robot-beats-bolts-100-metre-world-record-time",
        "published": "2026-08-23T09:59:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}