The China Robot Competition and RoboCup China Open 2026 concluded at the Capital International Convention Center in Beijing on May 4. The HUST HRT team defeated strong domestic teams, including Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University, to claim the championship in the RoboCup Soccer League (Humanoid, Small Size) during their debut appearance.

In the final, the team adopted a steady competitive strategy and maintained consistent performance against high-level opponents. Operating autonomously without human intervention, the humanoid robot carried out visual recognition and coordinated passing tasks. In the decisive showdown, the team secured a 2-0 victory over the defending champion Zhejiang University, showcasing solid motion control and intelligent decision-making capabilities.

The HUST HRT was established in May 2025 and is HUST's only undergraduate research and innovation team dedicated to the full-system development of humanoid robots. With support from the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Qiming College, and HGTECH’s incubator, and under the professional guidance of the Hubei Humanoid Robot Industry Alliance, the team drives cutting-edge technologies from the laboratory to real-world applications. Since its inception, it has demonstrated exceptional system integration and engineering prowess, completing the full-stack autonomous development of 100 centimeter-level humanoid robots. In February 2026, they developed a fully autonomous full-sized humanoid robot with a modular, adjustable height of up to 195 cm.

The team has steadily built expertise in structural design, motion control, scenario-based applications, and the development of core humanoid robot components. Its outstanding performance at this year’s RoboCup China Open testifies to the team’s technical expertise, engineering strength, and collaborative spirit, and serves as a strong validation of its progress since formation. It also marks an important step forward for this young undergraduate innovation team on the path toward autonomous humanoid robot development.

RoboCup is a prestigious global robotics competition, renowned for its high technical standards, broad participation, and significant influence. Covering categories such as robot soccer, rescue, and domestic service, RoboCup is widely regarded as the “Olympic Games” of robotics and AI. After securing the championship at the RoboCup China Open, HUST HRT team will represent China at the RoboCup 2026 World Championship, set to take place this July in South Korea.

Source: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, HUST