At the second World Humanoid Robotics Olympics, the tennis and table tennis demonstration events captured significant attention, with table tennis being officially designated as a competitive event. The joint team from Peking University ultimately claimed the championship title. Previously, at the 2026 World Robot Conference, table tennis had already served as a pivotal platform for manufacturers to exhibit their technological prowess. Racket sports are gradually emerging as a new frontier for humanoid robotics technology competition. These sports require robots to demonstrate exceptionally high levels of eye-brain-body coordination—skills that can be transferred to practical applications, such as industrial sorting and home services.

Currently, humanoid robots still encounter technical hurdles in perception, decision-making execution, and hardware when engaging in racket sports. Teams are addressing these challenges through various technological approaches. Although commercial applications in sports scenarios are still in the validation phase, with technology maturity and cost being major obstacles, some teams have already begun exploring cost-effective solutions. Meanwhile, manufacturers are conducting tests in public experience settings. There is also potential for application in professional sports. Industry experts predict that commercialization in table tennis may take 2-3 years, while tennis robots could achieve expert-level performance within one to two years.