Robots are preparing to take on the steep stone steps and winding paths of Mount Tai in east China's Shandong Province, ahead of the inaugural China Media Group (CMG) World Robot Mount Tai Competition on November 2.

A qualifier held on October 26 featured four events: legged robot racing, load-bearing challenges, all-terrain scouting and humanoid robot racing. Starting from Hongmen Square, competitors faced different finish lines along the mountain route.

The course tests robots' ability to navigate obstacles, maintain balance and make real-time decisions, while challenging their endurance on the demanding terrain.

Engineers are now fine-tuning their machines for the main event. The best-performing robots have reached Zhongtianmen in less than an hour during training, demonstrating their potential to handle complex outdoor environments.

The experience could also help advance practical applications, including material delivery and inspection, as robots learn to operate more reliably in challenging real-world conditions.