Robots can outrun humans, but can they plug in a cable?

China’s humanoid robots have ​shown they can run quicker than the fastest humans.

China’s humanoid robots have ​shown they can run quicker than the fastest humans.

Now comes the real test: Can they also handle packaging ‌and warehouse operations while reliably performing precision tasks like connecting cables designed to evaluate their ability to work like humans in less flashy jobs?

The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games, which began Saturday in Beijing, combine events modeled on human sports with those designed to test the robots in simulated factories, restaurants and ​offices and in emergency situations.

The games, heavily promoted in Chinese state media, feature 51 events, including 30 sports competitions and ​21 scenario-based contests. More than 40% require robots to operate fully autonomously, according to Huawei, a tech ⁠partner of the games.

On Saturday, two robots ran faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record in the 100-meter sprint. That was a ​sharp improvement from 2025, when the winning robot’s time was more than 20 seconds. Braking was an issue, as the machines slammed into ​a thick mat that organizers placed several feet after the finish line.