You Won't Believe What This Chinese Startup Did with Humanoid Robots and Football—Is AI Taking Over Sports?

On the outskirts of Beijing, 37-year-old entrepreneur Chen Hao observes humanoid robots training on an indoor football pitch—a surreal scene where the turf is reserved exclusively for machines. At his startup, Booster Robotics, engineers are leveraging artificial intelligence to teach robots how to dribble, pass, shoot, and block, marking a significant leap in the field of robotics.

Born in Kyiv and now residing in Beijing, Chen founded Booster Robotics in 2023, inspired by Tesla’s release of Optimus and significant advancements in AI. His ambition? To create some of the world's most advanced humanoid robots specifically designed for playing football. “There are hundreds of robot football teams in the world,” he told CNN. “We need to be first in this niche market and continue expanding into other markets.”

China's robotics sector has experienced rapid growth, especially after 2015, when the government identified robotics as a priority area for modernization. Today, the country boasts over 150 companies dedicated to developing humanoid robots, a number that continues to climb.

A Testing Ground for Technology and Athletic Ambitions

For many startups like Booster Robotics, sports have become a critical testing ground to showcase the capabilities of robots and explore real-world applications. In 2025, China witnessed a significant surge in robot sports: dozens of robots danced on stage at a spring ceremonial event, humanoid athletes ran in the first half marathon, and Beijing hosted the World Games for Humanoid Robots, featuring competitions in football, boxing, martial arts, and more.

This burgeoning interest in robot sports is unfolding amid a global race for technological superiority, particularly between China and the United States, while also addressing the productivity challenges posed by an aging workforce. During a visit to Booster Robotics' lab, CNN observed engineers fine-tuning their robots’ skills: one robot was suspended from a ceiling rope to assess its balance during jumps, while others navigated a mini-football field to test their components.

As the team prepared for RoboCup, an international tournament aimed at pushing the limits of AI in football, Chen expressed a broader vision. “We believe robot sports are a test; we are testing many technologies in the game, but in the future, we will use this technology in factories or at home.”

“The goal of RoboCup is to create a team of robots that can beat the best human football team on a real field,” noted Peter Stone, former president of the competition and professor of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin.

Chen’s fascination with football fuels his vision; however, he underscores the potential for wider applications of the technologies developed through these sports. His ambition extends beyond the football pitch into everyday life, aiming for humanoid robots that are as simple, reliable, and practical as personal computers.

Government Support and Future Use

The Chinese government plays a pivotal role in driving the development of robot sports, much like it has with electric vehicles and other high-tech sectors. Li Shi, deputy secretary-general of the China Automation Association, remarked, “Whether it’s Beijing, Shanghai, or even Shenzhen—the government is more engaged, with substantial investments and broad media coverage. The influence of robot sports has grown significantly.”

In 2021, authorities unveiled a five-year plan aimed at fostering robotics, complete with financial incentives, tax breaks, and easier loan access. This initiative is set to lead to significant technological advancements and aim for self-sufficiency in the industry. “The next five years and beyond constitute a strategic period of opportunities for the Chinese robotics industry to achieve self-sufficiency and a bold technological leap,” states the government strategy.

As the industry evolves, the goal is for robots to operate autonomously rather than under constant human supervision. At the World Games for Humanoid Robots, discussions also focused on the technical and ethical challenges surrounding privacy as engineers improve the capabilities of these “smart agents,” which are no longer mere tools, but entities with specialized skills. “They are no longer simply tools that carry out tasks. Now we see ‘smart agents’ with their own specialized skills,” Chen concluded.

As technology continues to integrate into homes and production environments, Chen remains optimistic, envisioning a future where humanoid robots are an everyday reality—a bold ambition that signals the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and robotics on a global scale.