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Asia Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Asia Times
Chinese humanoid robots get reality check in half-marathon debut
Six out of 21 Chinese robots completed the world's first half marathon (21.1 kilometres) for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, with the winner setting a record time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Over 12,000 people participated in the marathon on the same day, and the human winner reached the endpoint in 1 hour and 2 minutes. The Tien Kung Ultra robot, developed by X-Humanoid, a Beijing-based state-owned enterprise, won the race for humanoid robots. It is 1.8 meters tall and weighs 52 kilograms. The first runner-up, Noetix Robotics' N2, finished the half-marathon in 3 hours 37 minutes. It is 1.2 meters tall, weighs 29 kilograms, and wears children's trainers. The second runner-up, DroidUp's X02, finished the race in 4 hours and 50 minutes. It wears boxing gloves. An unofficial team entered the competition using a Unitree G2 robot, but the robot fell at the starting point and became a talking point of the event. Unitree said that the company did not send a team to participate in this marathon as it has been busy recently. It added that anyone who bought a Unitree robot can deploy it in activities, but different training will lead to different results. On April 10, Unitree released footage saying it will be live-streaming robot combat in about a month. Tang Jian, chief technology officer of X-Humanoid, said his team only used one robot to complete the half-marathon, while other players needed to change robots several times. He admitted that the X-Humanoid robot had fallen once during the marathon due to battery failure and had three battery swaps during the race. 'We have spent seven to eight months preparing for this marathon by doing a lot of tests on the robot and fine-tuning its algorithm,' Tang said. 'Firstly, we reduced our robot's weight; secondly, we improved its heat dissipation system to avoid overheating; Thirdly, we added a cushioning function to minimize wear on its sole and joint modules,' he added. 'What is more important is that we increased the length of our robot's legs to run faster.' 'The commercialization of humanoid robots will have three phases. In the first phase, robots will be used in general industries; then, they will be used in specific commercial environments to finish tasks such as packaging and scanning codes; finally, they will be deployed to homes to play the role of nanny and housekeeper,' Tang said. He said it would take Chinese companies three to five years to commercialize their robots, by which time they would be deployed in homes to serve people and do chores. X-Humanoid, officially known as Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, was formed jointly by robotics firm Ubtech, electronics and electric vehicle maker Xiaomi and the Beijing municipal government. Shares of the Hong Kong-listed Ubtech Robotics increased 2.9% on Tuesday. Shares of the state-owned Shoucheng Holdings, which has invested in X-Humanoid and Noetix, rose 4%. According to the marathon rules, each team can deploy three staff members to assist a robot. The robot does not need an autopilot system; its remote controller can be wired or wireless. The race terrain includes flat land and ramps, with a maximum slope of 9 degrees. The race route has six left-turn and eight right-turn lanes. One of the robot developers who joined the marathon said this activity aims to test robots' cerebellums (ability to control the body) instead of their cerebrums (ability to make decisions and think). Of the 21 robot runners, only six completed the race, while the remaining 15 failed. A small robot went up in smoke during a marathon in Beijing on April 7, 2025. Photo: Baidu A small robot developed by Beijing Polytechnic University students overheated and went up in smoke. Some other teams sprayed water on their robots to keep them cool. A female-looking robot walked a short distance and fell. One Gundam (from a Japanese comic) robot used four fans to move forward, but crashed seconds after beginning its journey. 'The winning secret of Noetix's N2 robot is its stable mechanical structure and superior algorithm performance,' Hu Chenxu, founder and chief scientist of Noetix, told the media. 'Small robots have a lot of advantages, such as higher flexibility and agility. Many research institutes use small robots to do their research work.' A female-looking robot has ended her journey after walking for a short distance. Photo: Baidu 'Robots need a high adaptability to go from the laboratory to the marathon track,' he said. He said he once worried that the N2 robot, which is more like a gymnast, would not be a good runner; fortunately, the robot performed exceptionally well, except it needed a new remote controller after a battery change. He said Noetix's robots are now used in scientific research, education, exhibitions, cultural, and tourism sectors and will be deployed for scenarios such as elderly care, industrial inspection and urban security. In September 2023, Jiang Zheyuan, a PhD student at Tsinghua University, then 25, founded Noetix Robotics. So far, the company has raised five rounds of funding. It planned to deliver one thousand robots this year and expected positive cash flow in the fourth quarter. Jiang told in an interview in March that his company needed to commercialize its products as early as possible due to its limited financial resources, unlike DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence company with sufficient resources to pursue technical ideals. Regarding the robotic race between China and the United States, Jiang said China has a substantial cost advantage. He said it costs only 40 yuan (US$5.5) per hour to collect robotic data in China but US$48 per hour in the US. Besides, he said a wide range of industries in China can provide different environments for companies to improve the algorithms of their robots. He said that using Chinese humanoid robots will continue to focus on education and exhibition in the next three years. He said Noetix plans to launch a small robot that costs below 10,000 yuan next year. According to the Gaogong Robot Industry Research Institute, total sales of humanoid robots will reach 12,400 units or 6.34 billion yuan globally in 2025. Chinese companies may sell about 7,300 humanoid robots during this period. Read: Unitree's humanoid robot a great side-flip forward for China
News18
21-04-2025
- Science
- News18
21 Humanoids Joined The Beijing Half Marathon Alongside Humans. Here Are The Results
Last Updated: Humanoid robots, developed by Beijing Innovation Centre, joined runners in a Beijing half marathon, showcasing robotics advancements. In a spectacle that turned heads and sparked curiousity over the world, humanoid robots joined thousands of runners in a half marathon in Beijing, China, offering a futuristic twist to the time-honoured test of endurance. While no formal contest pitted man against machine, the event highlighted just how far robotics has come, and how far it still has to go. The scene unfolded on Saturday morning as 21 humanoid robots, each developed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics, lined up alongside human athletes to take on the 21-kilometre course. This wasn't a promotional gimmick; it was a test. The question at hand: can robots run like humans? Organisers allowed the robotic entrants under strict conditions. The machines had to resemble humans in form, must be able to walk or run on two legs unaided, and, perhaps most importantly, could not be equipped with wheels or any other rolling mechanisms. The aim was clear: if robots were to run with humans, they had to be like humans, at least in movement. Though the robotic runners weren't identical in build, their presence was hard to miss. Models varied widely in height, with the smallest measuring just under 4 feet (114 cm) and the tallest standing at nearly 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). Their synchronised, albeit mechanical, strides drew applause and awe from spectators lining the streets. And while there was no direct competition between man and machine, results painted a revealing picture. The fastest human completed the race in an impressive 1 hour and 2 minutes. The top-performing robot, a model named Tiangong Ultra, crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 40 minutes, a respectable pace for a bipedal machine, but still well behind its flesh-and-blood counterparts. According to the Global Times, many spectators cheered the machines with genuine enthusiasm, even helping guide a few that veered off course. After finishing the race, the robots calmly stood in the designated waiting area, showing no visible signs of exhaustion, though that's more a quirk of circuitry than stamina. One robot suffered an early setback, tripping near the starting line and lying motionless for several minutes. Another collided with a roadside railing, momentarily halting its progress. These mishaps were reminders that while robotic technology is advancing rapidly, it's still learning to navigate the unpredictability of the real world. Tang Jian, Chief Technology Officer of the company behind the robotic runners, claimed the performance marked a major milestone. 'Our robots are not only competitive in form but are designed with advanced gait algorithms and long-limbed designs, allowing for efficient human-like motion," he said. To ensure their endurance, each robot had its battery replaced three times throughout the race. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz, and global sensations. From heartwarming reunions to bizarre events, it keeps you updated on what's capturing the internet's attention First Published:
Independent Singapore
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Humans vs Humanoids: Robots compete with humans at Yizhuang half-marathon in China
Photo: The Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing was a blend of technology and athletics as 21 humanoid robots joined thousands of human runners on the 21km course. These robots, created by Chinese companies like DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, have sizes from just under 1.2m to 1.8m tall. One of the companies presented a robot that looked like a human, complete with feminine features, and had the ability to wink and smile. There were also robots dressed for the race, with a few wearing running shoes to further enhance their performance. Moreover, one robot stood out with boxing gloves, and another sported a red headband emblazoned with the words 'Bound to Win' in Chinese. Some of the robots underwent weeks of testing to prepare for the race. These robots were not only accompanied by human trainers but also required physical support from them during the event. Spectator He Sishu, who works in artificial intelligence, shared, 'The robots are running very well, very stable … I feel I'm witnessing the evolution of robots and AI.' The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, from the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. On the other hand, the men's race winner finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes. Tang Jian, the chief technology officer of the robotics centre, explained that Tiangong Ultra's performance was helped by its long legs and an algorithm that mimics how humans run a marathon. 'I don't want to boast, but no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong's sporting achievements,' he said. He also added that the robot's batteries were replaced three times during the race. This is the first time humanoid robots have raced alongside humans, even though they have appeared in marathons over the past years. China is investing heavily in emerging industries like robotics, hoping they will fuel new economic growth. BBC News shared the story in a social media post, and netizens had mixed reactions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) As one commenter put it, 'They'd have a lot more success if we didn't keep this ridiculous notion that robots have to look like people. Give it four legs…and suddenly it's more stable and has more weight capacity for computers and batteries.' Another netizen remarked: 'It's good to see a diversity of robot forms, sizes, and capabilities as it shows multiple streams of R&D. While some are primitive today, they are at the disruptive innovation stage; based on the progress shown here, they will clearly cross the chasm into being ready for many everyday use cases within three to five years; it's going to be interesting times as we adapt to the new economics of non-human but humanoid workers.' While some found it impressive, other commenters shared a more serious take.'In a few years, this ain't funny anymore,' one person wrote Another added, 'I thought robots were meant to help us (like in extreme situations where humans need rescue, etc), not compete against us in silly races and generate AI art…. what a waste' One more user had strong words saying, 'The reason why we shouldn't have these people creating these 🤭….. They can't even get human life right. Sickening how people want robots to control everything.'
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Robots race humans in Beijing half-marathon
Dozens of robots took to the streets of Beijing early on Saturday to race against humans in a world-first half-marathon. The 13-mile (21km) event held in the Chinese capital's E-Town – a state-backed high-tech manufacturing hub – was billed as a groundbreaking effort to test the limits of bipedal robots in real-world conditions, and showcased the country's drive to lead the global race in cutting-edge technology. At the crack of the starter's gun, the robots began taking their first tentative steps as the Chinese pop song 'I Believe' blared out from loudspeakers. Curious human runners lined the roadside, phones in hand ready to photograph each machine as it began the race. One smaller-sized android fell over and lay on the ground for several minutes, before getting up by itself to loud cheers. Another, powered by propellers, veered across the starting line before crashing into a barrier and knocking over an engineer. Despite a mid-race fall, first to cross the finish line more than two hours later was the tallest droid and one of the heaviest in the competition. At nearly 6ft (180cm) tall and weighing 115lbs (52kg), the metallic black 'Tiangong Ultra' posted a time of 2:40:42. The men's and women's winners, both from Ethiopia, finished in 1:02:36 and, 1:11:07 respectively, according to state media. Joining enthusiastic spectators cheering the robots on was Huang Xiaoyu, who said: 'My daughter... got up really early and asked to come watch the robot marathon. 'It was quite a breathtaking experience – we were able to see some of the most cutting-edge robots in our country.' Tang Jian, chief technology officer of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (BHRIC) which developed Tiangong Ultra, told reporters the company was 'very happy with the results'. 'We had set three goals for ourselves: first, to win the championship; second, to complete the entire half marathon with a single robot – a very important goal for us; and third, to finish the race in under three hours,' he said. 'We collected real-world running data from professional athletes and trained the robot so that its gait, cadence, stride length, and various postures could match those of professional runners as closely as possible.' The BHRIC, first established by the government, is now owned by Chinese tech firms Xiaomi Robotics and UBTech Robotics as well as two state-owned companies, according to business data provider Tianyancha. Around 20 teams from across China participated in the competition, with robots ranging from 2ft 6in to 6ft (75 to 180cm) tall and weighing up to 194lbs (88kg). Some jogged autonomously, while others were guided remotely by their engineers. Robots and human participants ran on separate tracks. '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, said. Engineers said the goal was to test the performance and reliability of the androids – emphasising that finishing the race, not winning it, was the main objective.
Gulf Today
19-04-2025
- Gulf Today
21 robots join thousands of real human beings in Chinese half-marathon
Twenty-one humanoid robots joined thousands of runners at the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing on Saturday, the first time these machines have raced alongside humans over a 21-km (13-mile) course. The robots from Chinese manufacturers such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics came in all shapes and sizes, some shorter than 120 cm (3.9 ft), others as tall as 1.8 m (5.9 ft). One company boasted that its robot looked almost human, with feminine features and the ability to wink and smile. Some firms tested their robots for weeks before the race. Beijing officials have described the event as more akin to a race car competition, given the need for engineering and navigation teams. A robot attends the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday. Associated Press "The robots are running very well, very stable ... I feel I'm witnessing the evolution of robots and AI,' said spectator He Sishu, who works in artificial intelligence. The robots were accompanied by human trainers, some of whom had to physically support the machines during the race. Wearing running shoes A few of the robots wore running shoes, with one donning boxing gloves and another wearing a red headband with the words "Bound to Win" in Chinese. The winning robot was Tiangong Ultra, from the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, with a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. The men's winner of the race had a time of 1 hour and 2 minutes. A robot from DroidUp walks to the award ceremony after winning the second runner-up position. Associated Press The centre is 43% owned by two state-owned enterprises, while tech giant Xiaomi's robotics arm and leading Chinese humanoid robot firm UBTech have equal share in the rest. Tang Jian, chief technology officer for the robotics centre, said Tiangong Ultra's performance was aided by long legs and an algorithm allowing it to imitate how humans run a marathon. "I don't want to boast but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong's sporting achievements," Tang said, adding that the robot switched batteries just three times during the race. Some robots struggle Some robots, like Tiangong Ultra, completed the race, while others struggled from the beginning. One robot fell at the starting line and lay flat for a few minutes before getting up and taking off. One crashed into a railing after running a few metres, causing its human operator to fall over. Attendees react during an award ceremony for the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon. Associated Press Although humanoid robots have made appearances at marathons in China over the past year, this is the first time they have raced alongside humans. China is hoping that investment in frontier industries like robotics can help create new engines of economic growth. Some analysts, though, question whether having robots enter marathons is a reliable indicator of their industrial potential. Alan Fern, professor of computer science, artificial intelligence and robotics at Oregon State University, said contrary to claims from Beijing officials that such a race requires "AI breakthroughs", the software enabling humanoid robots to run was developed and demonstrated more than five years ago. A child interacts with a humanoid robot Noetix N2 after it finished the race at second place. Reuters Four legged robots perform before the award ceremony for the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday. Associated Press "Chinese companies have really focused on showing off walking, running, dancing, and other feats of agility. "Generally, these are interesting demonstrations, but they don't demonstrate much regarding the utility of useful work or any type of basic intelligence," Fern said. Tang, the robotic centre's CTO, said: "A focus going forward for us will be industrial applications for humanoid robots so they can truly enter factories, business scenarios, and finally households." Reuters
