Hugo Award-winning author Liu Cixin has called the world's first humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing a 'showcase of mechanical evolution' while cautioning about society's unpreparedness for truly human-like robots. The event, requiring bipedal machines to execute 250,000 precise joint movements across 21 kilometers, highlights China's leadership in embodied AI development.
A Robotic Milestone in Beijing
Speaking to China Media Group ahead of Saturday's landmark race, the Three-Body Problem author emphasized practical applications: 'Robots assisting the elderly or managing household chores represent immense market potential. Once operational maturity matches concept designs, their integration will reshape daily life.'
Between Technical Triumph and Ethical Questions
While praising current innovations – including robots performing Yangge dances at the Spring Festival Gala – Liu warned of 'hard-to-imagine disruptions' if future robots achieve perfect human mimicry: 'The ultimate goal risks creating beings indistinguishable from humans in intelligence and form. Such a breakthrough could challenge societal foundations beyond even science fiction's predictive scope.'
The event coincides with accelerated robotics investments across Asia, where aging populations drive demand for assistive technologies. Analysts note China's robotics industry grew 21% annually since 2020, with humanoid models projected to reach 40% of global production by 2030.
