©(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you could design a robot, what job would you want it to do?
- Do you think robots can play sports like humans? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- demonstrate /DEM-uhn-streyt/
[verb] – to show something clearly by example or action
The teacher demonstrated a new science experiment to the class. - gap /gap/
[noun] – a large difference or distance in level, amount, or progress between two things
There is a large gap between the training of professional athletes and beginners. - investment /in-VEST-muhnt/
[noun] – money, time, or effort put into something to get benefits later
The company made new investments in green energy projects. - partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/
[noun] – a situation where two or more people, groups, or companies work together
International partnerships helped the countries solve environmental problems. - influence /IN-floo-uhns/
[verb] – to affect or change someone or something
Social media can strongly influence young people’s choices.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
At Ancient Olympia in Greece, the first International Humanoid Olympiad was held in September 2025. Robots demonstrated skills such as soccer, shadowboxing, and archery. The site, known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, welcomed scientists, engineers, and developers. Organizers explained that the purpose was to measure real progress in robotics, not to create shows. A study in Science Robotics reported that humanoid robots are far behind artificial intelligence in learning ability, with some experts suggesting a gap equal to 100,000 years. Specialists added that humanoids may first be used in space before homes, with household tasks expected to take more than ten years to develop.
Researchers said that slow progress is caused by limited training data. Artificial intelligence can learn from large online material, but humanoid robots require physical tests that are expensive and time-consuming. Ken Goldberg from the University of California advised that traditional engineering and data from real tasks could speed progress. Other innovators, including Aadeel Akhtar of prosthetics maker Psyonic, showed devices that give sensory feedback to improve dexterity. Large investments are also entering the sector, with partnerships already reaching billions of dollars. The Olympiad showed the formidable challenges humanoid robots face, but it also revealed momentum and innovation that may one day influence daily life.
Researchers said that slow progress is caused by limited training data. Artificial intelligence can learn from large online material, but humanoid robots require physical tests that are expensive and time-consuming. Ken Goldberg from the University of California advised that traditional engineering and data from real tasks could speed progress. Other innovators, including Aadeel Akhtar of prosthetics maker Psyonic, showed devices that give sensory feedback to improve dexterity. Large investments are also entering the sector, with partnerships already reaching billions of dollars. The Olympiad showed the formidable challenges humanoid robots face, but it also revealed momentum and innovation that may one day influence daily life.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where was the first International Humanoid Olympiad held?
- What kinds of skills did the robots show at the Olympiad?
- Who came to the site for the Olympiad?
- What did the organizers say was the purpose of the Olympiad?
- Why is progress with humanoid robots slow?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever played a sport like soccer or archery? If yes, what was your experience? If not, what sport would you like to try?
- Have you ever used something with artificial intelligence, like a voice assistant or a smart device? If yes, how did you use it? If not, what kind of smart device would you like to try?
- Do you agree that robots should first be used in space before they are used in homes?
- Why do you think robots learn more slowly than artificial intelligence?
- Do you think spending billions of dollars on robot research is a good investment? Why or why not?