Humanoid robots danced hip-hop, performed martial arts, and played musical instruments at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Thursday evening.

The three-day competition, which begins Friday, features more than 500 humanoid robots in 280 teams from 16 countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Japan. Robots will compete in sports such as soccer, running, and boxing, reflecting China’s growing focus on developing artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robots.

During the opening ceremony, robots demonstrated their skills in soccer and boxing, with some cheering and backflipping as if participating in a real sports event. One robot soccer player scored a goal after a few attempts, causing the robot goalkeeper to fall, while another fell but recovered without assistance.

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In addition to sports, robots modeled fashionable hats and clothes alongside human models. In one mishap, a robot model fell and had to be carried off stage by two humans.

Teams from robotics companies, Chinese universities including Tsinghua University and Peking University, and three middle schools are taking part in the games. The event highlights both competition and innovation in robotics and artificial intelligence.

China’s official newspaper People’s Daily quoted a government officer in Beijing saying that every participating robot “is creating history.”

The World Humanoid Robot Games will conclude on Sunday. Tickets sold to the public range from 180 yuan ($25) to 580 yuan ($80).