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China Concludes First Human-Humanoid Half-Marathon in AI Advancement Push

Twenty-one robots completed the 21-km race alongside human runners, marking a milestone in robotics endurance and Beijing’s AI town strategy.

Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot, runs across the finish line while securing the first position during the E-Town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, in Beijing, China, on April, 19 2025.
Robots take part in what is billed as the world's first robot half marathon during the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing, China, on April 19, 2025.
A robot loses control at the start of what is billed as the world's first robot half marathon in Beijing, Chaina, on April 19, 2025.
Representational image: Rows of humanoid robots.

Overview

  • The inaugural human-humanoid half-marathon finished on April 20, 2025, in Beijing E-Town, with all 21 participating robots completing the course.
  • Robots faced penalties for battery or robot swaps, with final rankings determined by adjusted times rather than order of finish.
  • The event is part of a broader $686 million initiative to deploy over 10,000 robots, including 1,000 humanoids, across key sectors in China.
  • Organizers are analyzing race data to assess the adaptability and industrial potential of humanoid robots in real-world conditions.
  • Experts highlighted the event as a demonstration of hardware endurance rather than a breakthrough in artificial intelligence capabilities.