In a groundbreaking fusion of robotics and athletics, the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon unfolded in Beijing this weekend. Over 9,000 amateur runners joined robots from nearly 20 tech firms on a 21.1-kilometer course, showcasing China's rapid advancements in AI and biomechanics.
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, claimed victory with a time of 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. Remarkably, the machine only required three battery swaps during the race, according to center representative Ren Yawei.
Startup Noetix's N2 robot secured second place, while Shanghai-based DroidUp's Xingzhe-2 took third. The event attracted significant interest from tech investors and researchers analyzing the practical applications of bipedal mobility systems.
Experts suggest such innovations could revolutionize logistics and disaster response operations across Asia's challenging terrains. The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center plans to host annual competitions to accelerate development in the field.
