Stepping Into Service Roles
The second World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG) are now underway in Beijing, where 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries have gathered. Running from August 22 to 26 at the National Oval Speed Skating Stadium, the event tests machines on everyday tasks such as cleaning hotel rooms, moving luggage, and arranging books in libraries. For spectators outside China, it is a clear view of how rapidly humanoid robots are shifting from labs to real-world service work.
Challenges and Scoring
In the hotel competition, robots have 30 minutes to deliver luggage, restock towels, slippers, and water bottles, strip used bedding, and make beds. The course is intentionally difficult, with narrow corridors, limited space, soft objects, and loaded carts. Robots that work on their own score higher than those guided by remote control.
The library event also lasts 30 minutes. Each robot must collect returned books, put them in the right positions, and fix any books that were shelved incorrectly. Household trials add more everyday chores: cleaning a living room, folding clothes in a bedroom, and washing and hanging laundry.
The scoring system allows a maximum of 300 points for these tasks. Deductions are made for collisions, dropped items, or going outside the designated area. A human helping the robot lowers the value of that attempt to 0.5.
Among the machines taking part is the TianYi 2.0 from X-Humanoid. It uses a wheeled base, has a height between 130 and 165 cm, and can keep working for more than two hours without recharging. The games include six real-world scenarios and eight robotic-hand precision competitions, such as picking up beans and tightening screws.
These games have become a significant milestone in robotics technology and show clear progress in how independently humanoid machines can operate.
The WHRG underline the growing importance of robotics in daily life, stressing autonomy and interactivity. The achievements on display may open up new possibilities for robots in service industries, with potential effects on employment. Countries investing strongly in robotics are building a technological advantage that could reshape labor and economies worldwide.
While humanoid robots are making strides in service roles, their capabilities are also being tested in more critical scenarios. For instance, a recent competition in Beijing saw only three out of twelve robotics teams successfully extinguish a fire, highlighting the challenges these machines face in emergency situations. To learn more about how these robots handle high-pressure tasks, check out our detailed coverage of the event here.