If humans have the Olympics, robots have their own ultimate showdown: the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. It’s a high-energy mix of sport and science where humanoid robots sprint, box, and compete in athletic challenges designed to test just how “human-like” they really are.
But this isn’t just for fun (though it definitely looks fun to watch). Engineers use the competition to push their robots to the limit — testing speed, balance, coordination, and decision-making. Every stumble or success helps them figure out how to build smarter, stronger machines for the future. There’s prize money and recognition on the line too, which helps fuel a fast-growing robotics industry already backed by billions of dollars.
And no, this doesn’t mean robot athletes are about to take over your school sports day. Experts say humanoid robots are still mostly heading toward factories and specialized jobs — not everyday life. So for now, the biggest robot “athlete” you’ll probably meet is still your vacuum cleaner doing laps around the living room.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface. During the eclipse, the Moon can appear dark red or copper-colored as sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere.
Even though the Moon travels around Earth about every 28 days, total lunar eclipses are rare. That’s because the Moon’s orbit is tilted slightly, so most months, the Moon passes a little above or below Earth’s shadow instead of through it. Only every six months or so are the Sun, Earth, and Moon lined up closely enough for a possible lunar eclipse.
Last September, millions of people around the world watched the rare event during organized watch parties and backyard gatherings. Astronomers encouraged people to bring blankets, snacks, and telescopes to enjoy the nighttime spectacle together. While cloudy skies blocked views in some places, observers across parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia were able to see the eclipse from beginning to end under clear skies.
In The Rocky Mountains of North America, narrator Douglas Henshall highlights the dynamic landscape of the Rockies. From the American Southwest to the Yukon, this extreme environment offers freedom, but also requires its inhabitants to have exceptional survival skills. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains — Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.
In How Iceland Is Addressing Climate Change, see how Iceland is home to one of the world’s first carbon collectors. This technology aims to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by capturing it and pumping it into the bedrock. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and Its Effect on Species, discover the devastating impact of extreme heat in Australia on flying foxes. Thousands of these creatures died as a result of the intense heat waves caused by climate change. This phenomenon is a stark reminder of how rising temperatures are putting many species at risk of extinction. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels, learn how sea levels have risen by about 8 inches (20 cm) in the past 100 years, significantly affecting coastal communities. See the impacts on Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, where residents are being forced to relocate due to the rising waters. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Coral Bleaching, witness the effects of global warming on coral ecosystems. The world’s oceans are warming due to climate change, which negatively affects coral reefs, home to about a quarter of all ocean life. Coral is highly sensitive to temperature changes, and as ocean temperatures rise, coral bleaching becomes more extreme. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Shifting Toward Greener Renewable Energy, scientists discuss the development of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. They explore advancements in the efficiency of capturing, storing, and utilizing energy, and the need for technological innovation to overcome challenges related to energy production and sustainability. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change in Politics and Injustice, learn about the political, technological, and financial barriers to effectively addressing climate change. For decades, scientists have been aware of the dangers posed by greenhouse gases, but the challenge of tackling climate change has been compounded by misinformation, political obstacles, and a lack of global action. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and the Use of Fossil Fuels, scientists explain how human use of fossil fuels has caused Earth’s temperature to rise steadily over the last 100 years. The video explores the role of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and how this has led to climate change and extreme weather events. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change: Permafrost and Release of Methane and Carbon, discover the science behind permafrost and its crucial role in the global climate system. Permafrost, the frozen ground found primarily in the Arctic, has acted as a natural storage system for carbon and methane gases for thousands of years. These gases, which were once trapped beneath the surface, are released as the permafrost thaws due to rising global temperatures. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and the Impact of Wildfires, learn how climate change has made the possibility of wildfires more likely and more widespread. Now wildfires are happening around the world, including in colder countries. Wildfires in the western United States have become particularly devastating and dangerous for the people who live there. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
If humans have the Olympics, robots have their own ultimate showdown: the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. It’s a high-energy mix of sport and science where humanoid robots sprint, box, and compete in athletic challenges designed to test just how “human-like” they really are.
But this isn’t just for fun (though it definitely looks fun to watch). Engineers use the competition to push their robots to the limit — testing speed, balance, coordination, and decision-making. Every stumble or success helps them figure out how to build smarter, stronger machines for the future. There’s prize money and recognition on the line too, which helps fuel a fast-growing robotics industry already backed by billions of dollars.
And no, this doesn’t mean robot athletes are about to take over your school sports day. Experts say humanoid robots are still mostly heading toward factories and specialized jobs — not everyday life. So for now, the biggest robot “athlete” you’ll probably meet is still your vacuum cleaner doing laps around the living room.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon’s surface. During the eclipse, the Moon can appear dark red or copper-colored as sunlight bends through Earth’s atmosphere.
Even though the Moon travels around Earth about every 28 days, total lunar eclipses are rare. That’s because the Moon’s orbit is tilted slightly, so most months, the Moon passes a little above or below Earth’s shadow instead of through it. Only every six months or so are the Sun, Earth, and Moon lined up closely enough for a possible lunar eclipse.
Last September, millions of people around the world watched the rare event during organized watch parties and backyard gatherings. Astronomers encouraged people to bring blankets, snacks, and telescopes to enjoy the nighttime spectacle together. While cloudy skies blocked views in some places, observers across parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia were able to see the eclipse from beginning to end under clear skies.
In The Rocky Mountains of North America, narrator Douglas Henshall highlights the dynamic landscape of the Rockies. From the American Southwest to the Yukon, this extreme environment offers freedom, but also requires its inhabitants to have exceptional survival skills. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains — Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.
In How Iceland Is Addressing Climate Change, see how Iceland is home to one of the world’s first carbon collectors. This technology aims to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by capturing it and pumping it into the bedrock. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and Its Effect on Species, discover the devastating impact of extreme heat in Australia on flying foxes. Thousands of these creatures died as a result of the intense heat waves caused by climate change. This phenomenon is a stark reminder of how rising temperatures are putting many species at risk of extinction. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels, learn how sea levels have risen by about 8 inches (20 cm) in the past 100 years, significantly affecting coastal communities. See the impacts on Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, where residents are being forced to relocate due to the rising waters. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Coral Bleaching, witness the effects of global warming on coral ecosystems. The world’s oceans are warming due to climate change, which negatively affects coral reefs, home to about a quarter of all ocean life. Coral is highly sensitive to temperature changes, and as ocean temperatures rise, coral bleaching becomes more extreme. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Shifting Toward Greener Renewable Energy, scientists discuss the development of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. They explore advancements in the efficiency of capturing, storing, and utilizing energy, and the need for technological innovation to overcome challenges related to energy production and sustainability. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change in Politics and Injustice, learn about the political, technological, and financial barriers to effectively addressing climate change. For decades, scientists have been aware of the dangers posed by greenhouse gases, but the challenge of tackling climate change has been compounded by misinformation, political obstacles, and a lack of global action. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and the Use of Fossil Fuels, scientists explain how human use of fossil fuels has caused Earth’s temperature to rise steadily over the last 100 years. The video explores the role of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and how this has led to climate change and extreme weather events. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change: Permafrost and Release of Methane and Carbon, discover the science behind permafrost and its crucial role in the global climate system. Permafrost, the frozen ground found primarily in the Arctic, has acted as a natural storage system for carbon and methane gases for thousands of years. These gases, which were once trapped beneath the surface, are released as the permafrost thaws due to rising global temperatures. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Climate Change and the Impact of Wildfires, learn how climate change has made the possibility of wildfires more likely and more widespread. Now wildfires are happening around the world, including in colder countries. Wildfires in the western United States have become particularly devastating and dangerous for the people who live there. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change - The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.