Humanoid robots have danced hip-hop, performed martial arts and played keyboard, guitar and drums at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
The competition begins on Friday with more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries including the United States, Germany and Japan competing in sports including football, running and boxing.
The event comes as China has stepped up efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence.
During the opening ceremony, the robots demonstrated football and boxing among other sports, with some cheering and backflipping as if at a real sports event.
One robot footballer scored a goal after a few tries, causing the robot goalkeeper to fall to the ground.
Another player fell but stood up unassisted.
The robots also modelled fashionable hats and clothes alongside human models.
In one mishap, a robot model fell and had to be carried off the stage by two human beings.
Teams from robot companies and Chinese universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University are competing in the games.
Three schools are also participating.
China’s official newspaper People’s Daily quoted a government officer in Beijing as saying that every robot that participates “is creating history”.
The event will last three days, concluding on Sunday.
Tickets sold to the public range from 180 yuan to 580 yuan ($A40 to $A125).
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