Unitree's H1 robot wins 1,500 metre race as China hosts world's first humanoid games
Human-shaped bipedal robots from companies such as Unitree Robotics and X-Humanoid kicked off the event – officially known as the World Humanoid Robot Games – by competing in a 1,500-metre run in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese robotics darling Unitree, based in Hangzhou, was the clear winner in the first race, with its H1 humanoid securing first and third places.
Beijing-based X-Humanoid's Tien Kung Ultra, which won the world's first half-marathon featuring both human and robot runners in April, came in second.
The H1, priced at 650,000 yuan (US$90,526), was the same model that performed the Chinese folk dance Yangge at this year's Spring Festival Gala, alongside a troupe of human dancers.
Humanoids play football during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Friday. Photo: EPA
Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing told local news portal Phoenix News that the performance of its H1 robots in the 1,500-metre race was 'meaningful', as the model was the first humanoid the company ever made.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Nvidia's efforts to please both US and China get harder as H20 becomes bargaining chip
On his visit to Beijing in July, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang received a rock-star welcome as he announced to Chinese state media that Washington had assured the company that export licences for its H20 chips would soon be granted. Warmly greeted by Chinese entrepreneurs and government officials, Huang – who wore a Tang suit and addressed the audience with his rusty Mandarin at the state-backed China International Supply Chain Expo – earned national fame overnight. Just two weeks after Huang concluded his third visit to China this year, the company saw its fortunes take a dramatic turn. On July 31, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it had summoned Nvidia executives to question them about the security of its H20 chips. The powerful regulator said the inquiry was partly due to US lawmakers demanding the installation of tracking features into chips for export. That led to a back-and-forth between Nvidia defending the integrity of its chips and intensified pressure from state media for the company to demonstrate its security credentials. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attends the opening ceremony of the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing on July 16. Photo: Kyodo While Beijing has yet to provide evidence of any 'back doors' in Nvidia's products or issue any official ban, it has become politically sensitive for Chinese companies to procure any of the US firm's products, according to local media and industry insiders.
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese start-up joins NetDragon-owned Cherrypicks to push AI solutions overseas
Beijing -based Zhongke WengAI, whose services are used by various Chinese ministries and state media outlets, will also jointly develop with Cherrypicks – owned by Hong Kong -listed NetDragon Websoft – enterprise AI solutions for industries such as finance and healthcare, the partners said in a statement on Friday. This collaboration 'exemplifies the convergence of China's AI 'go-global' strategy with Hong Kong's innovation strengths', said Simon Leung Lim-kin , vice-chairman at NetDragon. He also pointed out that the strategic partnership would help 'further cement Hong Kong's position as an international innovation hub '. Shares of NetDragon closed unchanged at HK$11.61 on Friday. NetDragon Websoft vice-chairman Simon Leung Lim-kin. Photo: Jonathan Wong The partnership reflects efforts by Chinese AI firms to expand the reach of their operations beyond the mainland, while bolstering Hong Kong's campaign to reposition itself as an international innovation and technology hub.
South China Morning Post
12 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Jockey Club enters long-term Xinjiang partnership in another positive mainland move
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has begun a long-term partnership with the Sports Bureau of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in Urumqi with the goal of modernising the region's equine industry. The partnership was announced on Tuesday, with the aim of leveraging the resources of both the Jockey Club and the Bureau to promote the upgrading of Xinjiang's equine industry. Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges visited the site alongside Executive Director Andrew Harding and members of the Club's expert team, meeting representatives of the government, university, industry and sports organisations. Xinjiang holds the largest horse population in China and is home to one of its most celebrated horse breeds, the Yili horse – a small breed native to Xinjiang. The region has a rich history of horse sports and is implementing strategic objectives set out in the National Equine Industry Development Plan and the Xinjiang Modern Equine Industry Development Plan to aid horse breeding, training, racing and horse culture tourism. The Jockey Club will support Xinjiang in celebrating its horse racing festivals, cultivating equine talent with an international perspective and improving veterinary and horse standards – among other objectives. Engelbrecht-Bresges said that the Jockey Club is committed to national development and will leverage the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' framework – along with the Club's extensive experience and global connections – to help promote China's horse culture internationally. He was also keen to highlight Conghua racecourse in Guangzhou, which will be instrumental in supporting the development of equine industry talent, clinical veterinary care, health standards, racing tourism and other cultural activities in Xinjiang. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Engelbrecht-Bresges added that the Club is confident that Yili horses have the potential to become a global symbol of China's equine culture, while highlighting the Club's commitment to supporting the development of a robust equine industry value chain in Xinjiang and the nation through sports, cultural and tourism initiatives. Conghua opened in August 2018 and has become integral to Hong Kong racing and is currently used as a training centre for a large portion of the racing population. Racing is scheduled to begin at the venue in October 2026 in conjunction with Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses. An exhibition meeting at the course was held in March 2019. The Jockey Club began supporting the China Horse Industry Association in developing high-quality domestic horses last year, running 45 Yili horse assessment races held in Xinjiang.
