Beijing to Host First Ever Half-Marathon Race Between Humanoid Robots and Humans
It seems robots are no longer content with just vacuuming our floors or assembling our cars—they're now literally on equal footing with humans.
Well, bipedal footing, at least.
In a groundbreaking event that sounds like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie, Beijing is set to host the first-ever long-distance running race between humanoid robots and humans this April.
Get ready for a mix of huffing, puffing, and maybe even some mechanical creaking as these two-legged bots take on flesh-and-blood athletes in a 13-mile (approximately 21 kilometre) marathon.
Organized by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town), the race will feature more than 12,000 human runners alongside a lineup of humanoid robots from tech firms, research institutions, and robot clubs worldwide.
But don't expect any shortcuts—robots must adhere to strict rules. They must have a humanoid appearance, walk or run on two legs (no wheels allowed!), and stand between 19.7 inches and 78.7 inches tall.
Oh, and their hip-to-foot extension must be at least 17.7 inches. Because, you know, fairness.
One of the confirmed participants is Tiangong, a bipedal humanoid that's already made headlines.
Last year, Tiangong joined the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, completing a modest 100 meters.
While it wasn't exactly breaking speed records, its ability to finish the course earned it a symbolic medal.
By April, Tiangong is expected to reach speeds of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour—a significant improvement that highlights the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in mimicking human-like movements.
Here's how humans and robots stack up in the race: Category Humans Robots Speed Up to 13 mph (elite runners) Up to 6.2 mph (Tiangong) Endurance Can sustain long distances Improving but still limited Innovation Natural evolution Cutting-edge engineering
Robots can be remote-controlled or fully autonomous, and teams are allowed to swap out batteries mid-race if needed.
As for the humans, let's hope they're on their best behavior—no tripping the competition, no matter how tempting it might be to sabotage a bot threatening to leave them in the dust.
This isn't the first time robots have hit the track in China.
Last fall, Tiangong's appearance at the Yizhuang Half Marathon and quadruped robots serving as pacesetters at the Hangzhou Marathon showed that the idea of robots competing alongside humans is gaining traction.
April's race is expected to draw significant attention as the world watches to see how far robotics has come.
As advancements in humanoid robotics continue to accelerate, this event raises fascinating questions.
Will robots one day surpass humans in physical endurance? Or will the unpredictability of human grit and determination keep us ahead?
Either way, this race is more than just a competition—it's a glimpse into a future where humans and robots might coexist in ways we're only beginning to imagine.
So, who's your money on: the humans or the humanoids?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Beijing launches AI ‘RoboBrain' to power next generation of humanoid robots
Humanoid robot "Tiangong" participates along with human runners in the E-Town Half Marathon & Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China April, 19 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article China has taken a significant step forward in its race to lead global robotics innovation with the unveiling of RoboBrain 2.0 — an open-source artificial intelligence model designed to serve as the cognitive core of humanoid robots. The model was launched on Friday by the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI), a leading non-profit research institution, during its annual conference in the Chinese capital. The release marks a milestone in China's efforts to build smarter and more autonomous machines for its fast-growing robotics sector. Described by BAAI director Wang Zhongyuan as the world's most powerful open-source AI model tailored for robotics, RoboBrain 2.0 promises to enhance a robot's spatial perception and task-planning capabilities. Compared to its earlier version introduced just three months ago, the upgraded model is reported to operate 17% faster and with 74% higher accuracy. 'Currently, we are partnering with over 20 leading companies and are open to new collaborations to drive growth in the embodied intelligence industry,' Wang told attendees at the Zhiyuan Institute — BAAI's local moniker. The enhanced spatial intelligence enables robots to more accurately interpret their surroundings and judge distances, while improved planning algorithms allow them to autonomously deconstruct complex tasks into simpler, executable steps. RoboBrain 2.0 is part of BAAI's broader Wujie model suite, which also includes RoboOS 2.0 — a cloud-based distribution platform for robotics AI — and Emu3, a multimodal system capable of processing and generating text, images, and video. The model's launch comes amid intensifying competition in China's robotics landscape. Earlier this year, the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre introduced its own general-purpose platform, Hui Si Kai Wu, which it envisions as the Android equivalent for humanoid robots. The centre made headlines in April after its Tien Kung humanoid robot completed a half-marathon in Beijing. BAAI has emerged as a pioneer in open-source large language models and has played a key role in China's generative AI boom. Many of its alumni have gone on to found successful AI start-ups. Despite being added to the US Entity List in March — which restricts access to American technology — the institute continues to push forward, with Wang calling the decision 'a mistake' and lobbying for its reversal. In a show of resilience and ambition, BAAI also announced a new strategic partnership with the Hong Kong Investment Corporation to promote innovation through joint initiatives in talent development, technology exchange, and venture capital. This year's BAAI Conference drew more than 100 global AI researchers and over 200 industry experts, including leaders from major Chinese tech firms such as Baidu, Huawei, and Tencent, alongside robotics-focused start-ups like Unitree Robotics, Zhipu AI, and Shengshu AI. As China accelerates its quest to develop commercially viable humanoid robots, BAAI's open-source approach could help democratise access to high-performing AI systems — and set the foundation for a new generation of intelligent machines.
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Robots join thousands in Beijing half-marathon to showcase China's tech
Humanoid robot "Tiangong" participates along with human runners in the E-Town Half Marathon & Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China April, 19 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article More than 20 robots raced against thousands of human runners in a half-marathon in Beijing organized to showcase China's advances in humanoid technology. Step by mechanical step, dozens of humanoid robots took to the streets of Beijing early Saturday, joining thousands of their flesh-and-blood counterparts in a world-first half marathon showcasing China's drive to lead the global race in cutting-edge technology. The 21-kilometre (13-mile) event held in the Chinese capital's E-Town — a state-backed hub for high-tech manufacturing — is billed as a groundbreaking effort to test the limits of bipedal robots in real-world conditions. At the crack of the starter's gun, and as a Chinese pop song 'I Believe' blared out from loudspeakers on repeat, the robots queued up one by one and took their first tentative steps. Curious human runners lined up on their side of the road and waited patiently with mobile phones at the ready to shoot each machine as they prepared to depart. One smaller-sized android, which fell over and lay on the ground for several minutes, got up by itself to loud cheers. Another, powered by propellers and designed to look like a Transformer, veered across the starting line before crashing into a barrier and knocking over an engineer. 'Getting onto the race track might seem like a small step for humans, but it's a giant leap for humanoid robots,' Liang Liang, Beijing E-Town's management committee deputy director, told AFP before the event. Nearby, engineers jogged alongside their machines. 'The marathon helps push humanoid robots one step closer toward industrialisation.' Around 20 teams from across China are taking part in the competition — with robots ranging from 75 to 180 centimetres (2.46 to 5.9 feet) tall and weighing up to 88 kilograms (194 pounds). Some are running autonomously, while others are guided remotely by engineers, with machines and humans running on separate tracks. Engineers told AFP the goal was to test the performance and reliability of the androids – emphasising that finishing the race, not winning it, was the main objective. 'I think it's a big boost for the entire robotics industry,' Cui Wenhao, a 28-year-old engineer at Noetix Robotics, said of the half-marathon. 'Honestly, there are very few opportunities for the whole industry to run at full speed over such a long distance or duration. It's a serious test for the battery, the motors, the structure – even the algorithms.' Cui said as part of its training, a humanoid robot had been running a half-marathon every day, at a pace of about seven minutes per kilometre, and he expected it to complete the race with no issues. 'But just in case, we've also prepared a backup robot,' he added. Another young engineer, 25-year-old Kong Yichang from DroidUp, said the race would help to 'lay a foundation for a whole series of future activities involving humanoid robots'. 'The significance (of the race) lies in the fact that humanoid robots can truly integrate into human society and begin doing things that humans do.' China, the world's second-largest economy, has sought to assert its dominance in the fields of AI and robotics, positioning itself as a direct challenger to the United States. In January, Chinese start-up DeepSeek drew attention with a chatbot it claimed was developed more cost-effectively than its American counterparts. Dancing humanoid robots also captivated audiences during a televised Chinese New Year gala.
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Express Tribune
Beijing to Host First Ever Half-Marathon Race Between Humanoid Robots and Humans
It seems robots are no longer content with just vacuuming our floors or assembling our cars—they're now literally on equal footing with humans. Well, bipedal footing, at least. In a groundbreaking event that sounds like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie, Beijing is set to host the first-ever long-distance running race between humanoid robots and humans this April. Get ready for a mix of huffing, puffing, and maybe even some mechanical creaking as these two-legged bots take on flesh-and-blood athletes in a 13-mile (approximately 21 kilometre) marathon. Organized by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town), the race will feature more than 12,000 human runners alongside a lineup of humanoid robots from tech firms, research institutions, and robot clubs worldwide. But don't expect any shortcuts—robots must adhere to strict rules. They must have a humanoid appearance, walk or run on two legs (no wheels allowed!), and stand between 19.7 inches and 78.7 inches tall. Oh, and their hip-to-foot extension must be at least 17.7 inches. Because, you know, fairness. One of the confirmed participants is Tiangong, a bipedal humanoid that's already made headlines. Last year, Tiangong joined the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, completing a modest 100 meters. While it wasn't exactly breaking speed records, its ability to finish the course earned it a symbolic medal. By April, Tiangong is expected to reach speeds of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour—a significant improvement that highlights the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in mimicking human-like movements. Here's how humans and robots stack up in the race: Category Humans Robots Speed Up to 13 mph (elite runners) Up to 6.2 mph (Tiangong) Endurance Can sustain long distances Improving but still limited Innovation Natural evolution Cutting-edge engineering Robots can be remote-controlled or fully autonomous, and teams are allowed to swap out batteries mid-race if needed. As for the humans, let's hope they're on their best behavior—no tripping the competition, no matter how tempting it might be to sabotage a bot threatening to leave them in the dust. This isn't the first time robots have hit the track in China. Last fall, Tiangong's appearance at the Yizhuang Half Marathon and quadruped robots serving as pacesetters at the Hangzhou Marathon showed that the idea of robots competing alongside humans is gaining traction. April's race is expected to draw significant attention as the world watches to see how far robotics has come. As advancements in humanoid robotics continue to accelerate, this event raises fascinating questions. Will robots one day surpass humans in physical endurance? Or will the unpredictability of human grit and determination keep us ahead? Either way, this race is more than just a competition—it's a glimpse into a future where humans and robots might coexist in ways we're only beginning to imagine. So, who's your money on: the humans or the humanoids?
