In a groundbreaking event blending sports and cutting-edge technology, twenty-one humanoid robots raced alongside thousands of human participants at the Yizhuang Half-Marathon in Beijing on Saturday. This marks the first instance of humanoid machines joining humans over a full 21-kilometer course.
The robots, developed by Chinese companies such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, showcased a wide range of designs, standing between 1.2 and 1.8 meters tall. Some models appeared strikingly human-like, even featuring facial expressions such as winking and smiling. Several manufacturers had extensively trained their robots in preparation for the marathon, which Beijing officials likened more to a motor-racing event, given the high degree of technical support required.
Spectators, including AI professional He Sishu, were left in awe. “The robots are running very well, very stable … I feel I’m witnessing the evolution of robots and AI,” he commented.
Throughout the race, the robots were closely accompanied by human engineers. Some robots needed physical assistance, with trainers helping stabilize them mid-run. Adding a splash of personality, a few robots sported running shoes, boxing gloves, or motivational accessories like a red headband inscribed with “Bound to Win” in Chinese.
The standout performer was Tiangong UltraTiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics. Completing the half-marathon in 2 hours and 40 minutes, Tiangong Ultra outpaced its robotic peers, although the men’s human champion clocked in significantly faster at 1 hour and 2 minutes. According to Tang Jian, the Centre’s Chief Technology Officer, Tiangong Ultra’s success stemmed from its “long legs” and an advanced algorithm designed to mimic human marathon techniques. The robot required three battery changes during the event.
Not all robotic contenders fared as smoothly. Some struggled early, with one robot collapsing at the starting line and another crashing into barriers shortly after the race began, causing its human handler to tumble.
While humanoid robots have previously featured at Chinese marathons, this was their inaugural race against human competitors. China views such innovations as key drivers for future economic growth. However, experts caution that marathon performances may not directly translate into broader industrial breakthroughs.
