Two humanoid robots wowed attendees by playing table tennis together at a high-tech exhibition held from July 5 to 9 at the China National Convention Center.

One of them, 1.7 meters tall and weighing 65 kilograms, can dance, do shadow boxing and make various facial expressions. The other can play table tennis with human beings or another robot.

The two were developed by a research consortium headed by the Beijing Institute of Technology, and they signify the first step in China's efforts to commercialize humanoid robots, said Huang Qiang, a professor of robotic technology and systems at the university.

He said it will still be another 10 to 15 years before the robots will be fit to serve in homes or work in a dangerous environment.