Tesla Optimus rival Unitree shines at China’s world robotic video games

The first “World Humanoid Robot Games” is within the books.

The three-day competitors hosted in Beijing wrapped on Sunday, attracting 280 groups from 16 international locations, together with the U.S. Teams used robots manufactured by Chinese firms similar to Unitree and Booster.

During the video games, humanoid athletes competed in dance battles, martial arts, monitor and area occasions such because the 400-meter and 1500-meter races and lengthy bounce, and a soccer event.

“Robots have stronger joints and core strength,” mentioned Guo Tong, who programmed one of many futuristic footballers for his group, Hephaestus.

Guo mentioned he sees robots changing his idol, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, by 2050.

“Robots are easier to coach,” Chinese Olympic boxer Li Yang informed CNBC whereas watching his robotic slug it out with one other. “Humans are emotional.”

Hangzhou-based Unitree, seen as a competitor to Tesla‘s Optimus, gained a number of medals. Beijing-based X-Humanoid and Hong Kong-listed Shenzhen agency UBTECH additionally impressed.

The Chinese authorities has focused humanoid robots as a key future business for the economic system and Beijing has plans to construct a world-class business of humanoid robots by 2027.

The video games are the newest in a collection of occasions and packages aimed toward selling humanoid robotic expertise. China introduced plans to carry its second Olympics-style occasion for humanoid robots subsequent August.

Robots additionally put job expertise to the take a look at, showcasing their talents as drug retailer clerks, manufacturing facility staff, and resort employees.

One problem for a robotic in housekeeping was to choose up all the rubbish in a mock resort room and take out the trash. Referees informed CNBC the largest impediment for these robots was opening and shutting the door.

Robot designer Wang Xidong says the competitors is vital to testing the robots’ expertise and bettering them.

“We are refining our robots,” Wang mentioned. “Everyone feels motivated to compete.”