At the 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC 2026), Zhongqing Robotics founder and CEO Zhao Tongyang shared his bold vision for the URKL combat league, expressing his ambition to elevate it to the global status of the NBA or Formula 1 racing. "We want to establish URKL as a premier event that not only boosts our tech brand but also promotes Chinese robotics on a global scale," he stated, adding that he hopes the league can sustain its legacy for decades to come.
Zhao emphasized that the combat league is far more than a visual spectacle; it serves as a critical proving ground for advancing humanoid robot technology. "Just as humans need strength, agility, and stamina to win fights, robots must excel in the same areas," he explained. He outlined that Zhongqing is currently focusing on two core pillars: physical capability and intelligence. The combat arena, he argues, is the perfect venue to address the first essential step for humanoid robots: "solving the challenge of being agile and error-free, able to handle any unexpected scenario."
The URKL league exclusively uses Zhongqing's self-developed T800 full-size humanoid robot, designed to test key technologies including motion control, balance algorithms, perception, decision-making, power systems, and structural protection. The high-intensity combat environment places extreme demands on joint modules, motor drives, and impact-resistant structures, all of which Zhongqing has developed in-house. Zhao previously announced that the technical breakthroughs from the league would be open-sourced to benefit humanoid robot applications across various industries.
On the business front, Zhao sees URKL as more than just a tech showcase. "Combat, like movies, music, and art, provides entertainment and emotional value," he said, noting that people naturally admire heroes and are drawn to the toughest competitor. Citing the commercial success of the NBA, the FIFA World Cup, and F1, he believes URKL can follow the same path to become the most influential commercial humanoid robot combat IP globally.