• AI humanoid robots played the world’s first fully autonomous 5v5 soccer match.
• The event took place during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
• More than 500 robots from 280 teams are competing in 26 sports.

Artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robots made history by conducting the world’s first fully autonomous 5v5 soccer match during the preliminaries of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. This event marks a significant advancement from previous competitions that were limited to 3v3 games, featuring teams configured with two forwards, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. The robots independently handled all aspects of play, including tackling and shooting, demonstrating remarkable agility even during collisions, according to aa and trtglobal.

The match was part of a broader lineup of activities at the World Humanoid Robot Games, which kicked off with an impressive opening ceremony showcasing humanoid robots performing various tasks, including martial arts and dancing. Following the inauguration, the games involve more than 500 robots from 280 teams across 16 countries competing in 26 different sports. Attendees enjoyed the spectacle as robots faced challenges on the field, with some mishaps leading to humorous moments, reports latimes and africanews.

China is advancing its humanoid robotics with a vision to elevate its capabilities to a global standard by 2027. As part of these efforts, students and companies from various regions, including prestigious universities in China, have contributed to the development of robots showcased in the competition. The event has garnered significant attention, with plans for a public audience expression during the competitions, indicating the growing fascination around robotics as a competitive sport, according to latimes and africanews.