History was made in Beijing this weekend as the 'Tiangong Ultra' humanoid robot clinched victory in the world's first humanoid robot half marathon. The groundbreaking event showcased 21 uniquely designed robots from national teams, private companies, and academic institutions, traversing a 21.1-kilometer route designed to test endurance and technological innovation.
The race saw unexpected twists as human trainers assisted robots through obstacles like sharp turns and uneven terrain. Teams leveraged creative strategies such as battery swaps and relay-style robot substitutions. While the winning Tiangong Ultra finished in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds, the event emphasized collaboration over competition. For context, the fastest human runner completed the same distance in just 1 hour and 2 minutes.
'This marks a historic leap in robotics,' said Xiong Youjun, leader of the Tiangong Ultra team. 'Completing a half marathon under real-world conditions — potholes, speed bumps, and all — demonstrates unprecedented technical resilience.' The event drew comparisons to early driverless car trials, highlighting how such challenges accelerate problem-solving for real-world applications like disaster response and logistics.
Smaller robots like the 75-centimeter 'Little Giant' also captured attention, proving that size isn't everything in mobility tech. Analysts suggest the race could spur international interest in China’s rapidly advancing robotics sector, with implications for industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.
