(ECNS) -- More than 2,000 humanoid robots from 16 countries will compete at the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing from Aug. 22 to 26, a sports official said Thursday. 

A total of 666 teams and 2,056 robots have registered, said Yu Qingfeng, director of the Beijing Sports Bureau and executive deputy director of the Games’ organizing committee.

The Games will feature 1,301 contests across 51 events at the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the “Ice Ribbon.”

Highlights include robot soccer, with participants now able to dribble while running, take powerful shots and dive to make saves.

Robots will also compete in combat, weightlifting and dance, while other events will test practical skills such as emergency response, hotel services and fine movements like picking up beans and tightening screws.

Dance events have attracted 108 teams, up from 29 last year, with robots set to compete in street dance, ballroom dance and cheerleading.

Competition standards have been tightened, with the 100-meter race time limit cut from three minutes to one, and most events required to be completed autonomously. 

(By Helen Mo, intern Yang Hongran)