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Robots run a half marathon, slowly
In Beijing’s E-Town, the world's first humanoid half-marathon featured 21 robots, with the winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, completing the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Although it required human assistance to imitate running movements, the event showcased the current limitations of humanoid robotics compared to human runners who typically finish the race in under two hours.
Key points
- The race took place in Beijing’s E-Town tech hub with 21 humanoid robots participating.
- Tiangong Ultra, built by X-Humanoid, won the marathon in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- Human assistance was needed for Tiangong Ultra to complete the race by imitating a human runner.
- Only four robots finished the race under four hours, while most others did not adequately perform.
- The event highlighted the technological challenges in humanoid robotics, as some robots experienced malfunctions.
Why it matters
- The event reflects ongoing advancements in robotics and AI technologies.
- As of 2025, trends in IT include increased development in humanoid robots and their applications.
- This race illustrates the gap between current robotic capabilities and human performance, a concern for researchers in robotics.
The humanoid half-marathon in Beijing marks a significant milestone for robotics, showcasing both progress and limitations as the field strives to improve humanoid robot performance in real-world scenarios.