Robot Tug-of-War, Obstacle Course, Jumping: 2026 Embodied AI Challenge at Digital Trade Expo
At the 60-meter track, visitors will have the chance to race alongside robots. In the designated shooting area, humans and robots will compete for accuracy.
Soccer, tug-of-war, obstacle crossing, endurance races… From September 23 to 27, Hall 6B of the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center will host a robot carnival that is watchable, playable, and even participatory.
The 2026 Global Digital Trade Innovation Competition (Embodied AI Robot Challenge) will be held here, and team recruitment is now open. As a parallel event of the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo, the competition is expected to attract over 100 teams, featuring 14 events and 2 special activities, along with corporate product innovation displays and technology roadshows.
01. Basketball, soccer, obstacle races, and marathons? Robots turn abilities into on-site highlights. How fast can a robot sprint 100 meters? Will it lose balance during sudden stops and turns? In shuttle runs and obstacle courses, robots will traverse ramps, steps, plum blossom piles, and slippery surfaces; in soccer, they must cooperate with teammates; in tug-of-war, how to stand firm and exert force is also intriguing. A competitive event for robots is about to begin. Free combat, designated shooting, and standing high jump condense power, agility, and precision into minutes of competition. Audiences can watch robots' on-the-spot reactions and cheer for a beautiful turn, shot, or basket. A 6-hour 100-meter shuttle endurance race for legged robots will also be held, akin to a marathon for robots. Unlike short sprints, this is a race to watch slowly. Robots move continuously and repeatedly turn back, allowing the audience to observe their long-duration performance.
02. Solo joy is not as good as shared joy: Audience can also challenge on-site. The event includes a 60-meter track and a designated shooting interactive experience. Visitors don't need professional backgrounds to step onto the track, pick up a basketball, and join the robots. Beating a robot may not be easy, but experiencing the speed and fun of human-robot coexistence is the surprise the event aims to bring. The corporate product innovation display area will also be a stop for visitors. Robot bodies, core components, and innovative applications will be showcased; service products like massage robots and ice cream robots are highlights. Visitors can watch competitions while experiencing the charm of technology and seeing how robots move from the arena into daily scenarios.
03. A robot carnival and an encounter with the world. The 5th Global Digital Trade Expo will be held from September 23 to 27 at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, with the annual theme 'Meet the AI Future at the Digital Trade Expo'. The Embodied AI Robot Challenge in Hall 6B adds competition, interaction, and experience to the expo. Merchants, industry institutions, and tech companies from different countries and regions gather in Hangzhou, and visitors can approach embodied intelligence in a more relaxed and intuitive way. From cheering for robots by the track to participating in human-robot races, and experiencing innovative products, Hall 6B hopes every visitor can find their own way to participate.
Team registration: Mr. Ma 19550223266 (WeChat same number), Dr. Tang Robospeak2015 (WeChat ID). Corporate product innovation display: Ms. Wu 17729933975 (WeChat same number). Roadshow registration: Mr. Li 17816871236 (WeChat same number). Audience admission: Please follow the official ticket and admission arrangements of the Digital Trade Expo. Public opening time is 13:00 on September 27. Scan the QR code below. Registration deadline: 18:00 on September 18.