The integration of sports and technology is accelerating in China, with drone racing and humanoid robot competitions fueling growth in training, equipment sales, accommodation and cultural tourism, further boosting sports consumption.
CHONGQING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) — As night fell, swarms of drones roared through a circular racetrack, while inside an exhibition hall humanoid robots sprinted, passed, and clashed in fierce contests.
At the recently concluded 2025 World Smart Industry Expo in Chongqing, several technology-themed sports competitions drew widespread attention.
In recent years, driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and drone technology, sports have expanded beyond traditional tests of strength and speed. The integration of tech and athletics is fostering new event formats, industrial chains, and consumer experiences.
The second Chongqing Drone Racing Competition, held from Sept. 5 to 7, featured drones reaching speeds of over 200 km/h as they navigated sharp turns, tunnels, and obstacle gates. A total of 130 elite pilots from around the world showcased speed, precision, and intelligent control.
“The track design in Chongqing is remarkable, demanding both technical skill and psychological resilience from pilots,” said South Korea’s junior world champion Kim Min-jae.
With the rapid growth of the drone industry, racing events are flourishing worldwide. This year’s Chongqing competition featured four categories – Open, Junior, Women’s, and Team – and attracted two million viewers on-site and online.
At just 11 years old, Chinese pilot Qi Jingxi impressed with his control skills. “Drone racing is very exciting. It’s like playing a real-life video game, but it requires much deeper knowledge and skill,” he said. “Through competition, I’ve learned drone programming and maintenance, made friends at home and abroad, and improved in physics and mathematics.”
The 2025 RoboCup Asia-Pacific Chongqing Invitational Tournament, held at the same venue, extended the competition to robotics. Teams from China, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia competed in football and combat matches, testing not only hardware performance but also algorithm optimization, perception, and teamwork.
Contested in 3×3 and 5×5 formats, the event featured 26 participants. “At this stage, the essence of robot football lies not in entertainment but in control, perception, and decision-making. It is fundamentally a technological contest involving AI large models, code architecture, and algorithm strategy,” said Yang Kechang, captain of the China Agricultural University team.
“Chinese players have unique insights into algorithm design and tactical planning,” added Tanadul Somboonwong, a master’s student from Mahidol University in Thailand.
Zhou Changjiu, president of the RoboCup Asia-Pacific Confederation, said, “Through robot football, we aim to showcase the current level of humanoids and embodied intelligence, allowing industries worldwide to see practical application scenarios for robot technology.”
The integration of sports and technology is accelerating in China. Shenzhen hosted the China Aerial F1 Drone Xtreme Racing Superleague. Esports debuted as an official medal sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Shanghai is developing a VR-centered immersive sports festival. Hefei and Qingdao have launched robot football and intelligent driving challenges.
These events are fueling growth in training, equipment sales, accommodation, and cultural tourism, further boosting sports consumption. The China Electronics Society has even launched a national youth drone technology certification exam for participants aged eight to 18, aiming to establish unified operator standards and promote standardized industry development.
From robot football to drone racing, intelligent driving challenges, and immersive virtual competitions, technology-driven sports are opening up new arenas. ■
