AI-Powered Robots Steal the Show at China's First Autonomous Robot Soccer League

On June 28, 2025, Beijing hosted the inaugural RoBoLeague robot soccer competition, where four teams of humanoid robots competed in fully autonomous 3-on-3 matches. The event, which used T1 robots supplied by Booster Robotics, drew considerable excitement and fan engagement, a stark contrast to the relative lack of enthusiasm surrounding China's men's soccer team, which has seen limited success internationally. The competition aimed to highlight advancements in AI technology and robotics. Each robot was equipped with advanced visual sensors and capable of autonomous navigation and decision-making. While the robots demonstrated impressive agility and the ability to stand up after falls, some still needed assistance and were carried off the field on stretchers, adding a touch of realism to the matches. Tsinghua University's THU Robotics emerged victorious, defeating the China Agricultural University's Mountain Sea team with a score of 5-3 in the final. The win was celebrated not only for its competitive nature but also for the showcase of sophisticated AI algorithms developed by the university's research team. These algorithms controlled aspects such as perception, decision-making, player formations, and passing strategies, integrating complex variables like speed, force, and direction. Cheng Hao, founder and CEO of Booster Robotics, underscored the significance of sports competitions as a testing ground for humanoid robots. He explained that such events help accelerate the development of integrated hardware-software systems and facilitate the refinement of AI algorithms. Safety, however, remains a primary concern. Cheng noted that future plans include organizing matches where robots and humans can play together, emphasizing the need for ensuring the robots' safety to build public trust. The successful inaugural RoBoLeague is part of China's broader push to advance AI and robotics. The country has been increasingly active in developing and deploying humanoid robots in various sports disciplines, such as marathons, boxing, and football. These efforts aim to create practical applications and demonstrate the potential of AI in enhancing human-robot collaboration. Industry insiders view the competition as a significant milestone in the realm of AI and robotics. They believe that such events not only captivate public interest but also drive innovation, pushing boundaries in algorithm development and hardware integration. Booster Robotics, founded by Cheng Hao, is at the forefront of this movement, having secured partnerships with several leading universities and research institutions. The company's commitment to safety and public engagement could pave the way for more widespread acceptance and integration of humanoid robots in everyday life.