Humanoid robot applications are accelerating in China, from sports competitions to providing services and preparing food, alongside official efforts to establish national standards governing the industry and addressing safety, legal liability and social impact.
Growing sports and service capabilities
An Al Jazeera report documented the machines’ abilities in running, jumping, football and boxing, as well as how they interact with people, signaling the gradual shift of humanoid robots from development and testing to a broader range of practical uses.
The report followed the conclusion of the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, which featured more than 2,000 robots competing in running, football and boxing.
Incidents during competitions test safety procedures
The Associated Press reported that the Tiangong Ultra robot completed the 100-meter race in 8.64 seconds. Several robots also collided with a padded barrier beyond the finish line, with sparks flying from some of them, prompting intervention by safety teams.
These incidents highlight challenges related to operating robots safely in places where people are present, while raising questions about which party bears responsibility when a malfunction or accident causes harm.
Draft targets 100 key standards by 2028
The development coincides with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issuing, on 25 August 2026, a draft guideline for building a national standards system for the humanoid robot industry. Public feedback will be accepted until 23 September 2026.
The draft aims to establish at least 100 key standards by 2028, covering capability assessments, core technologies and use scenarios, as well as safety governance, ethical requirements and social impact assessments.
Local regulations to strengthen traceability and accountability
At the local level, regulations for the embodied-intelligence robot industry took effect in Hangzhou in early May 2026. They established a framework combining support for innovation with safety oversight and product-tracking mechanisms.
Beijing also launched a robot life-cycle management platform covering research, manufacturing, maintenance and retirement, assigning each device a unique identity to improve traceability and clarify accountability.
