Global standard for legged robots launched by chinese experts

On September 1, 2026, the first-ever international standard for legged robots was officially released, led by Chinese experts. The standard, titled 'Robotics — Performance Specifications and Test Methods for Service Robots — Part 5: Legged Robots Movement,' establishes a unified global evaluation framework for these robots. Legged robots, which move by walking, running, climbing, and navigating obstacles, are now being used for tasks such as performance, inspection, logistics, and search and rescue. However, a lack of standardized metrics has hindered consistent evaluation of their capabilities. The new standard addresses this by incorporating real-world scenarios like stairs, slopes, and obstacles into its assessment criteria, ensuring more accurate reflection of a robot's performance in complex environments. The standard also emphasizes not just speed but task completion efficiency, requiring robots to perceive, interact, and make decisions in dynamic settings. This shift from evaluating only movement to assessing overall task capability marks a significant advancement. The release is expected to aid manufacturers in product development, testing institutions in evaluations, and users in making informed decisions about robot performance.