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2w ago

China Hosts First Human-Robot Half-Marathon, Showcasing Humanoid Tech Progress

The event saw 21 humanoid robots race alongside 12,000 human participants, with Tiangong Ultra winning the robot division in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

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A Humanoid robot called Tiangong runs with support technicians in the Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon on April 19, 2025, in Beijing, China.
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Overview

  • The half-marathon in Beijing marked the first time humanoid robots competed alongside human runners over a 21-kilometer course.
  • Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, won the robot division, completing the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
  • Only six of the 21 robots finished the race, with many struggling due to falls, overheating, or mechanical issues, requiring human assistance and battery swaps.
  • The event served as both a public demonstration of bipedal robotics and a test of their endurance and navigation capabilities under controlled conditions.
  • Organizers and developers are now analyzing the technical outcomes to refine robot designs and explore potential industrial and commercial applications.