Beijing Hosts First Half Marathon Featuring Humanoid Robots

China has just held a unique event — the world’s first half marathon where 21 humanoid robots competed alongside thousands of human runners. The 21-kilometer race took place in Beijing.

The robotic winner was Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Robotics Center, which completed the course in 2 hours and 40 minutes — about twice as long as the average time for human participants.

The robots were equipped with long legs and algorithms that mimic human running. Each was monitored by a team of engineers responsible for their performance and condition throughout the race.

Still, humanoids have a long way to go before catching up with humans. Some robots fell, veered off course, or ran out of battery. Tiangong Ultra, for instance, required three battery swaps during the run.

While the race was a spectacle, experts like Professor Alan Fern remain skeptical about its practical implications. In their view, events like this are more about showmanship than genuine breakthroughs in robotics. Nevertheless, China’s government plans to roll out humanoids in industrial and everyday settings in the near future.