China’s robots race ahead

<figure> <img alt="Humanoid robot competes in the optional boxing routine event during the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games at National Speed Skating Oval on August 26, 2026 in Beijing, China. " data-caption="Humanoid robot competes in the optional boxing routine event during the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games at National Speed Skating Oval on August 26, 2026 in Beijing, China. | Image: Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Image: Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/gettyimages-2292163504.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Humanoid robot competes in the optional boxing routine event during the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games at National Speed Skating Oval on August 26, 2026 in Beijing, China. | Image: Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>This is </em><a href="https://www.theverge.com/the-stepback-newsletter">The Stepback</a><em>, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on falling robots and the US-China AI race, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/authors/robert-hart">follow Robert Hart</a>. </em>The Stepback<em> arrives in our subscribers' inboxes on Sunday at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback <a href="https://www.theverge.com/newsletters">here</a>. </em></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How it started</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">I've <a href="https://www.theverge.com/column/843418/humanoid-robot-hype" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.theverge.com/column/843418/humanoid-robot-hype">admitted my fondness</a> for robot fail videos on <em>Stepback</em> before, and let me tell you the World Humanoid Robot Games did not disappoint. </p> <div class="youtube-embed"><iframe title="Humanoid robots can run fast, but they can&apos;t seem to stop" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u1mfENnH44g?rel=0" allowfullscreen allow="accelerometer *; clipboard-write *; encrypted-media *; gyroscope *; picture-in-picture *; web-share *;"></iframe></div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The five-day event, which wrapped this week in Beijing, brought high drama, and brought it well. One robot, made by smartphone maker Honor, lost a leg mid-sprint, while others tripped in a flurry of sparks. Another finis …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/986167/china-humanoid-robot-games-race">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>