Unitree Robotics has emerged as the standout performer at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG) in Beijing, taking home four gold medals across some of the event’s most competitive categories. (See video below.)
The Chinese robotics company clinched victories in the 1500 m race, 400 m race, 100 m obstacle course, and 4×100 m relay, marking a historic sweep at the debut competition.
A highlight of the Games was the speed milestone achieved by Unitree’s humanoids, which clocked 4.78 m/s during competition, with the company noting that its latest internal tests have already surpassed 5 m/s – a benchmark that sets a new pace for humanoid robotics.
Unitree also proved its influence beyond its own team: independent groups using the company’s Unitree G1 humanoid platform secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, underscoring the versatility of its hardware in the hands of external developers.
The achievement builds on Unitree’s early successes at WHRG, where its H1 humanoid was reported to have topped the 1500 m Group 1 final with a time of 7 minutes and 10 seconds.
“The Games marked a milestone for the robotics industry and showcased Unitree’s leadership in humanoid performance and innovation,” the company said in a statement.
A showcase of humanoid progress
The World Humanoid Robot Games – staged at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, the “Ice Ribbon” built for the 2022 Winter Olympics – brought together more than 500 robots from 280 teams across 16 countries, competing in both athletic contests and practical task demonstrations.
Opening ceremonies featured robots dancing, performing martial arts, playing live music, and even scoring goals on the soccer pitch. The competitions ranged from sports such as running, boxing, and table tennis to scenario-based tasks like medical sorting, hotel cleaning, and industrial handling.
Backed by over $20 billion in Chinese government subsidies and a planned ¥1 trillion ($137 billion) AI and robotics fund, the Games have become a platform not just for public spectacle but also for testing the real-world skills required of next-generation humanoid robots.
Analysts see the event as a pivotal moment. Sports-style competitions, they argue, accelerate development in navigation, perception, adaptability, and decision-making – all essential for robots to transition into roles in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and entertainment.
Unitree’s haul of medals cements its reputation as a global leader in humanoid robotics, while its G1 platform’s success with third-party teams highlights its growing ecosystem appeal.
