The R1 humanoid robot from Robbyant, showcased at the IFA 2025 tech show in Berlin, is a remarkable creation. Owned by Chinese tech giant Ant Group, this robot boasts a stable wheeled base and a humanoid form from the waist up. Its versatility lies in the fact that it can perform tasks that humans do, with the added advantage of having the same appendages.
One of the standout demonstrations of the R1 was in the kitchen, where it showcased its culinary skills by cooking shrimp, albeit at a leisurely pace. The makers of the R1 envision it being utilized in various roles such as a carer, nurse, or tour guide, highlighting its potential in different industries.
In contrast, the Tiangong bipedal robot, built by the National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center, faced a setback during a 100-meter race at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The robot stumbled and fell, showcasing the challenges that come with creating humanoid robots that are both ambitious and agile.
Another interesting event featured robot jockeys racing on camels in Qatar. Following the ban on child jockeys, robots were introduced as replacements, initially created from basic materials like electric drills and remote gate openers. These robots have evolved over time, although they primarily serve as remote-controlled whips to spur camels to run faster during races.
In Beijing, the E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon welcomed both human and robot participants, with the Tiangong Ultra robot emerging as the winner, completing the race in an impressive 2 hours and 40 minutes. The event showcased the growing integration of robots in competitive sports and endurance challenges.
The World Humanoid Robot Games also featured a kickboxing bout between robots, with the Unitree G1 robots exhibiting agility and tenacity despite their slow movements. The event highlighted the progress in robotic technology and the potential for robots to engage in physical activities traditionally reserved for humans.
Lastly, a fascinating project involved turning a tadpole into a cyborg by implanting an electronic device to monitor its neural activity during development into a frog. This innovative approach by Jia Liu and his team at Harvard University utilized a soft, stretchable mesh embedded with ultra-thin conductors to measure brain signals as the tadpole’s brain evolved.
Overall, these advancements in robotics showcase the growing capabilities and potential applications of humanoid and cyborg technologies in various fields, paving the way for a future where robots play integral roles in our daily lives.
