China tests humanoid robots in tea farms before the 2026 World Robot Games

China began real-world testing of humanoid robots in tea fields as part of the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games, deploying them in Fujian Province’s Fuding region, a key white tea production area. The "Energy Transfer" relay challenge, launched May 10, required robots to pluck tea leaves, navigate uneven terrain, and complete processing tasks like sun-drying and roasting. This field test differs from controlled lab environments by introducing variables like irregular terrain, varying leaf conditions, and dynamic lighting to push robot mobility and dexterity. The event follows the inaugural 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, which drew 280 teams and 500 robots from 16 countries. The 2026 edition will feature 32 events split into competitive sports (athletics, football, martial arts) and practical scenario-based challenges, including applications in factories, hospitals, and retail. Organizers emphasize shifting from simulated tests to real operational settings to accelerate practical AI and robotics development. Tea farms present unique challenges for robots, including uneven hillsides, natural variations in leaf size and ripeness, and continuous lighting changes. Unlike controlled industrial tasks, tea harvesting demands fine manipulation and adaptability, making it a critical test for general-purpose AI and embodied robotics. The exercise aims to gather data for improving robotic systems in unstructured environments. China’s broader push for humanoid robotics includes evaluating capabilities beyond lab demonstrations, with the 2026 Games expanding into real-world scenarios like tea production, emergency response, and hospitality. The focus on practical deployment reflects efforts to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and functional applications in diverse industries.