A robot fell into the judges’ table while trying to pick up a weight at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Monday (August 24).

The fall took place during the weightlifting final at the second edition of the games.

Once a curiosity organized by academic teams and hobbyists, China’s robot games have become a national showcase celebrated by state media — and, increasingly, a proving ground for commercial products from companies looking to show real-world applications beyond the spectacle.

The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games – the latest and biggest incarnation of the competition – began on Saturday (August 22) in Beijing.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

REFILE - MOMENT: Robot crashes into judges' table at World Humanoid Robot Games

VIDEO SHOWS: THE MOMENT A ROBOT PICKS UP A WEIGHT, STRUGGLES AND DROPS IT BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE JUDGES' TABLE

EDITORS NOTE: REFILING STORY TO AMEND CAMERA CREDIT

SHOWS: BEIJING, CHINA (AUGUST 24, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. ROBOTS TAKING PART IN WORLD HUMANOID ROBOT GAMES, PEOPLE STANDING

2. ROBOT REACHING DOWN TO PICK UP WEIGHT, PICKING IT UP AND STRUGGLING WITH IT, FALLING AHEAD TOWARDS THE JUDGES’ TABLE AND ONTO THE FLOOR

3. PEOPLE PICKING UP THE ROBOT AND MOVING IT AWAY ON STRETCHER

4. OTHER ANGLE OF MOMENT, SHOWING ROBOT PICKING UP WEIGHT, DROPPING IT AND FALLING FORWARD TO HIT THE JUDGES’ TABLE

5. OTHER ANGLE OF ROBOT ON FLOOR, PEOPLE RUNNING TOWARD ROBOT TO HELP

6. OTHER ANGLE OF PEOPLE PICKING UP ROBOT AND PLACING IT ON STRETCHER

7. OTHER ANGLE OF PEOPLE PICKING UP STRETCHER WITH ROBOT ON IT AND WALKING AWAY