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NBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC News
In another AI push, China holds the world's first sports event for humanoid robots
BEIJING — They aren't the most graceful athletes, or the fastest. But they're learning. From Friday to Sunday, human handlers from 16 countries put about 500 bipedal robots through various motions to showcase the promise and limits of embodied artificial intelligence at what was billed as the first-ever World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The robotic participants came in all shapes, sizes and structures and competed in 26 different sports events ranging from running to kickboxing to soccer. The unusual state-backed sports tournament at the National Speed Skating Oval, a Beijing Olympic venue, came as the United States and China race against each other to shape the future of AI. There were no speed records being set, and many of the athletes were prone to fizzling and face plants. Some robots broke down unexpectedly while competing, while others didn't complete their tasks as planned. One viral video showed a running robot veering off course and accidentally knocking over a person on the track. But for the robots' developers, the games were less about winning or losing and more about testing their agility, endurance and battery life, all of which have made great advances in recent years. Some humanoids were also competing in more practical job skills, such as sorting medicine and hotel concierge duties. A team from StarBot, a California-based tech company that specializes in developing robots skilled in customer service, said they were 'really excited' to be part of the games. 'We thought it was a really good opportunity to come to China and be in an environment where everything is so modern and up to date,' company representative Gregorio Velasco told NBC News. StarBot's machines, developed based on the Chinese-made Unitree model, competed in service-related races as they excel at restaurant scenarios such as taking orders and delivering food to tables, he said. Going forward, Velasco said, 'we hope to be in people's homes and restaurants, hotels, and I think in the future, many people will have robots involved in their life.' The venue was packed with spectators who laughed, clapped and rooted for the robot athletes as the games kicked off Friday. During the tai chi event, a group of judges watched carefully as the robot competitors moved gracefully to the rhythm of soft music in the background, jotting down notes and scoring the performances with the seriousness of an Olympic panel. 'For robots, a single movement needs to be repeated many times before they can perform it with stability,' martial arts judge Zhang Jidong told Chinese state newspaper The Beijing News. 'Considering the very short preparation time, the robots' upper-body movements were impressively smooth.' The games did not just showcase how far robotics have come and how humanoids might one day be integrated into daily life. They also revealed how heavily China's government has been backing the development of these technologies, to close the artificial intelligence gap with the United States. In July, China announced its global action plan for AI just days after the Trump administration released the U.S. version, which experts note is 'no coincidence' as the two countries race to win others over to their respective visions for AI governance. Both countries consider AI a national security issue, and the U.S. has sought to restrict China's access to the advanced semiconductor chips needed to train AI models. While the U.S. backs market-driven AI in alignment with liberal norms, China promises to help developing countries with AI as a means to promote state control, according to the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington. Videos of robots dancing, punching and performing have been all over Chinese social media and state TV as Beijing has deepened its AI investment and promotion. In April, the Chinese government organized a half-marathon in Beijing where robots and human runners raced against each other. For years, Beijing has been funneling tens of billions of dollars into AI research and state subsidies, just as it did with the electric vehicle industry, drawing accusations of unfair competition from Western critics. While American robot developers such as Boston Dynamics still dominate high-end research and innovation, Chinese companies, spurred by government policy, are focused on mass-producing affordable robots, according to Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank based in Washington. Research published by Morgan Stanley predicts that by 2050, China will have 302.3 million humanoid robots in use, well ahead of the U.S. projection of just 77.7 million. Although the production disparity between the two countries may grow larger, experts said the U.S. will maintain its advantage in total compute capacity, a metric more likely to be the key in deploying and integrating AI systems at scale. Wang Xiaoyin, a representative from China-based robot developer NexAurora, said robots today still lack a 'robust AI brain.' The 'real AI age,' he said, will begin only when robots like the ones competing in Beijing can think and behave independently after training. While the robots' performance over the weekend showed that day is still a long way off, the games were part of China's larger goal: getting ahead in the global race for AI domination, one clunky step at a time.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
China's nature reserve opens ₹6,000/day jobs for 'savages' to dance around, eat raw food, entertain tourists
A popular tourist destination in central China has sparked widespread attention after announcing a unique job opening, hiring people to dress and perform as 'savages' for visitors, reported the South China Morning Post. The Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, located in Hubei province and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, began recruiting for the role on June 7. Since then, around 10,000 people have reportedly applied, according to the reserve's management company, which spoke to The Beijing News on June 9. Also read: ₹20 lakh role, no one qualified: Indian tech company shocked after 450 interviews lead nowhere The job, which pays 500 yuan (approximately ₹6,000) per day, will last from July to August. The reserve is known for its untouched forests, diverse wildlife, and age-old myths about wild men inhabiting its mountains. It's also a popular summer escape, with average temperatures hovering around a pleasant 20°C. As per the recruitment advertisement, 16 individuals will be selected. Their responsibilities include wearing 'savage' costumes, roaming the forested areas, dancing, and interacting with tourists. They'll also be expected to record and share their experiences on social media platforms. The advertisement further states that actors must be open to accepting and consuming food offered by tourists. There are no restrictions on age or gender, but applicants must present medical proof of good health. 'Those with an open personality, who are creative in shooting short videos and accustomed to living in the wild for a long time, will be preferred,' said the company. 'Those who like to eat raw food will also be given priority,' it added. Also read: 'I went to Sushant Singh Rajput's home': Mumbai CEO recalls actor's unexpected offer to help, pays tribute There are also strict rules: the performers aren't allowed to speak, they can only make a purring sound, except when asked for directions to a toilet. They're forbidden from touching wild animals and must run away upon encountering any unidentified creatures. Working hours are from 8 am to 5 pm. The quirky job post has gone viral on Chinese social media, drawing humorous reactions. 'I am interested in this job. I can do it for just 300 yuan a day,' said one online user. Another joked, 'What if I meet real savages?' Shennongjia isn't the first location to embrace this unusual tourism strategy. A scenic area in Liaoning province had also made headlines last year for hiring 14 'savage' actors at a monthly pay of 5,000 yuan (about ₹60,000).
Dubai Eye
28-05-2025
- Dubai Eye
At least 5 dead, 6 missing after China chemical plant blast
An explosion at a chemical plant in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong killed at least five people, with 19 injured and six missing, the state-run Xinhua agency said late on Tuesday. The blast occurred a few minutes before noon on Tuesday, shaking part of a chemical plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang. More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast, according to a statement issued by China's emergency response authority on Tuesday afternoon. Drone video posted by The Beijing News, a government-run publication, showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and from a second, unidentified facility nearby. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau dispatched staff to test the site of the blast but said there were no results yet available. The bureau advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News reported. Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical, shares of which closed down nearly 3.6 per cent on Tuesday. Youdao was established in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, according to the company's website. The plant covers more than 47 hectares (116 acres) and has more than 300 employees. The company develops, produces and sells chemical components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023. Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700. That incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage. An explosion in 2015 at another chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people.
ARN News Center
27-05-2025
- ARN News Center
At least 5 dead, 6 missing after China chemical plant blast
An explosion at a chemical plant in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong killed at least five people, with 19 injured and six missing, the state-run Xinhua agency said late on Tuesday. The blast occurred a few minutes before noon on Tuesday, shaking part of a chemical plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang. More than 200 emergency workers responded to the blast, according to a statement issued by China's emergency response authority on Tuesday afternoon. Drone video posted by The Beijing News, a government-run publication, showed smoke emerging from the chemical plant and from a second, unidentified facility nearby. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau dispatched staff to test the site of the blast but said there were no results yet available. The bureau advised nearby residents to wear face masks in the meantime, Beijing News reported. Shandong Youdao Chemical is owned by Himile Group, which also owns listed Himile Mechanical, shares of which closed down nearly 3.6 per cent on Tuesday. Youdao was established in August 2019 in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang, according to the company's website. The plant covers more than 47 hectares (116 acres) and has more than 300 employees. The company develops, produces and sells chemical components for use in pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Blasts at chemical plants in China in recent years have included one in the northwest region of Ningxia in 2024 and another in the southeastern province of Jiangxi in 2023. Two massive explosions at warehouses containing hazardous and flammable chemicals in the port city of Tianjin in 2015 killed over 170 people and injured 700. That incident prompted the government to tighten laws covering chemical storage. An explosion in 2015 at another chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Indian Express
At least 5 dead, 6 missing after China chemical plant explosion
A blast at a chemical plant in eastern China's Shandong province killed at least five people and left six missing, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday. 19 people were injured in the explosion, which happened late Tuesday morning at a plant owned by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Weifang. The explosion happened just before noon and shook part of the facility, Reuters said. Videos shared on Chinese social media showed thick black and orange smoke rising into the sky. In one of the videos, windows of nearby buildings were blown out by the force of the blast. 🇨🇳 An explosion occurred at a chemical plant in eastern China, — South China Morning Post. ❗️The plant belongs to Shandong Youdao Chemical, which is the world's largest producer of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, producing about 11 thousand tons of the substance per year. — MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) May 27, 2025 More than 200 emergency workers were sent to the scene, China's emergency management authority said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. Footage from a drone, published by The Beijing News a government-backed outlet showed smoke coming not only from the chemical plant but also from another nearby site that was not identified. The Weifang Ecological Environment Bureau sent terms to the area to check for pollution following the explosion. As of Tuesday night, no test results had been released. In the meantime, authorities advised residents nearby to wear masks, according to The Beijing News, Reuters said. Shandong Youdao Chemical is part of Himile Group. The parent company also owns Himile Mechanical, which is publicly listed. Shares of Himile Mechanical dropped nearly 3.6 per cent on Tuesday, Reuters reported. According to its website, Youdao was set up in August 2019 and is based in the Gaomi Renhe chemical park in Weifang. The plant spans over 47 hectares and employs more than 300 people. The company makes chemical ingredients used in products like pesticides and medicines. The Baidu Maps app shows several other factories near the Youdao plant, including companies that produce textiles, machinery and industrial coatings. Chemical plant explosions have happened in China before. In 2015, two huge blasts at a warehouse storing chemicals in Tianjin killed more than 170 people and injured hundreds more. That event led the government to tighten safety rules around chemical storage. Other explosions have taken place in recent years, including one in Ningxia in 2024 and another in Jiangxi in 2023. In 2015, an explosion at a chemical plant in Shandong killed 13 people, Reuters added.
