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Robotics
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

As China’s humanoid robots make strides, practical use is the next frontier

Recent competitions in Beijing and Hong Kong have showcased how far these machines have come. Now, it’s time to pivot to the strategy for their deployment

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A Galbot humanoid robot dives for the ball during a demonstration of a tennis match with a human player, before the opening ceremony of the second World Humanoid Robot Games, in Beijing, China, on August 22. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
The world has been captivated by the rapid evolution of robotics. From humanoid machines shattering athletic records to the intricate, precision-focused manoeuvres – whether kung fu fighting or tennis playing – in international competitions, we are witnessing a technological shift that transcends mere entertainment.
The recent spectacle of humanoid robot games in China, which captured global attention over the weekend, shows the speed at which innovation is advancing. Meanwhile, Hong Kong successfully hosted the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robocon 2026, the region’s premier university-level robotics competition.

The nation is at the forefront of this technology, which increasingly combines robotics with artificial intelligence (AI). But the true measure of this progress lies not in these machines’ performance for entertainment but in their integration into the fabric of our daily lives.

The second World Humanoid Robot Games, held at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, has transformed from a mere curiosity into a rigorous laboratory for testing the boundaries of machine autonomy. With over 2,000 robots competing across 51 events, the scale of this competition suggests we are witnessing the dawn of a new era in embodied intelligence.

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