The final countdown to the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games was recently marked by the official lighting of an artistic installation nicknamed the "Panda Eye," located at the core venue of the world's first humanoid robot competition and training base.

Located in the sunken plaza on the west side of the National Speed Skating Oval, the Panda Eye features a 12-meter-high dome with a diameter of 32 meters. The name comes from its hemispherical shape, which resembles a panda's eye when viewed alongside the surrounding architecture. Once illuminated, the dome paired with a dynamic LED lighting system creates a futuristic, high-tech ambiance at night.

Inside, the venue houses a 24-by-16-meter soccer field to be used for five-versus-five matches between humanoid robots, along with technical support zones and seating for spectators. The dome is built using lightweight, highly durable ETFE — a cutting-edge, recyclable material commonly used in modern stadiums. Fully modular and easy to disassemble, the structure also offers precision controls over temperature, humidity, and air quality — ensuring optimal performance conditions for the robots.

The venue won't just host robot competitions, but will also serve as a hub for hands-on educational programs, giving students an up-close look at robotics, said Zhao Dongwei, marketing director for the Games' organizing committee and chairman of Beiao Group.