In a groundbreaking event held in Beijing, humanoid robots competed alongside 12,000 human runners in the world’s first human-robot half-marathon. Despite months of preparation and cutting-edge engineering, the robots were no match for their human counterparts, finishing well behind the fastest athletes.
The half-marathon, originally scheduled for April 13 but postponed to April 19 due to extreme weather, featured robots from top tech companies and universities. Each robot, standing between 0.45 and 2 meters tall, was required to walk or run the full 21.1 kilometers on two legs, with separate lanes and strict safety protocols in place.
Early tests showed the leading robot completing the course in 2 hours and 52 minutes a time significantly slower than elite human runners, who typically finish in about 1 hour. The event was designed to test robots’ endurance, autonomy, and energy management, with penalties for battery changes and other interventions.
While the robots lagged behind, the marathon marked a major milestone for robotics, offering a real-world test of their capabilities outside controlled lab environments. Organizers hope future events will further push the boundaries of AI and robotics in sports and beyond.
