Chinese robots knocked humans down in the world's first human-like animal half marathon. They lost a mile
If robots’ ideas about humans during road races will attract the dystopian image of the supreme dystopian movement, at least don’t worry now.
On Saturday, more than 20 bipedal robots participated in the world's first humanoid half marathon, and although technically impressive, they are far from surpassing the masters of humanity.
Teams from several companies and universities competed in the competition, a showcase of China's advancement in human technology as it competes with the United States, which still has a more complex model.
The head of the winning team said their robots – despite being beaten by humans in this particular game, was a match in Western similar models, and this time the perfect human technology competition was intensifying.
The robot comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, passing through the Yijin Island District in southeast Beijing, home to many capital technology companies.
Over the past few months, videos of Chinese human robots doing bicycles, round kicks and side flips have blown up the internet, often amplified by state media, and are the main potential drivers of economic growth.
In the 2023 policy document, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China identified the humanoid robotics industry as a “new area of technology competition” and set goals for mass production and the secure supply chain of core components in 2025.
A robot loses control at the start of the world's first robot half marathon in Beijing on April 19, 2025. -Ng Han Guan/AP
In recent years, fears about artificial intelligence and robots have continued, and may one day surpass humans.
While AI models are developing rapidly, which has attracted attention from everything from safety to the future, Saturday’s race shows that humans still have the upper hand at least when running.
The robots get along with 12,000 human contestants and surround them.
According to the state-run Beijing daily, participating robots have to overcome slight slopes and winding 21km (13m) track before reaching the finish line.
Just as human runners need to replenish themselves with water, robot players are also allowed to obtain new turrets in the competition. The company was also allowed to exchange its replacements without competing any more, although each replacement was subject to a 10-minute fine.
The first batch of robots, Tianoka Ultra, created by the Beijing Human Robot Innovation Center, completed the route in two hours and 40 minutes. Nearly two hours from the 56:42 human world record owned by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo. The winner of Saturday's men's competition ended in 1 hour and 2 minutes.
The robot participated in the world's first robot half marathon during the humanoid robot half marathon held in Beijing, China on April 19, 2025. -Ng Han Guan/AP
Tang Jian, chief technology officer of the Center for Robot Innovation, said long legs and an algorithm allow it to mimic how humans can perform marathons, thus helping Tian and Ultra perform.
“I don't want to brag, but I don't think there is any other robotics company in the West that matches Tiandong's sports achievements,” Tang said.
The 1.8-meter robot encountered some challenges in the competition, involving multiple battery changes. It also requires an assistant to linger with his hands on his back when he falls.
Most robots need this support, some of which are tied with belts. Some are led by remote controls.
Amateur human contestants running in another lane are not difficult, with curiosity among them pulling out their cell phones to capture the robot's race.
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