Interesting Engineering

From August 29 to September 2, the first International Humanoid Olympics will take place in Olympia, Greece — the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Human-like robots from around the world will compete in sporting events including sprinting, jumping, and javelin throwing, Interesting Engineering reports.

In addition to the sports program, guests will be able to attend lectures by leading artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics experts, as well as interactive workshops where they can interact with robots and learn how “physical intelligence” works.

“This is a rare fusion of ancient traditions and futuristic technology, showcasing how human creativity and robotics merge to shape the future,” say the event organizers.

The Olympiad is organized by Acumino (a company known for its advanced AI solutions) and Endeavor Greece (an organization that supports innovative startups). The goal is to demonstrate how humans and machines can grow, learn, and inspire each other.

Special attention is given to the educational aspect: schoolchildren and students will be invited to participate in programming and even robot assembly workshops led by experts. No prior knowledge is required, making the event accessible and inspiring to a wide audience.

Previously, China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot fighting competition — complete with referees, commentators, and spectacular knockouts. While still experimental, these events may become a full-fledged sport in the future.

Additionally, China also held the world’s first half marathon featuring both humans and robots. The race included 12,000 human runners and over 20 androids, although not all of them made it to the finish line.