In an unprecedented fusion of technology and sport, China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing on Saturday (April 19), positioning the country at the forefront of real-world robotic application and innovation.
As many as 20 humanoid robots lined up alongside 12,000 human competitors in the southeastern district of Yizhuang, traversing a 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) course in a symbolic step forward for China’s fast-evolving robotics industry.
The humanoid participants—accompanied by human handlers and operating under tailored race conditions—navigated slopes, turns, and battery swaps in parallel lanes separated from the main human race by safety dividers. According to organizers, six of the twenty robotic entrants completed the full distance.
Tiangong Ultra claims victory among Robots
The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra—also known as “Sky Project Ultra”—crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. Standing 1.8 meters tall and weighing 55 kilograms, the humanoid was developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.
“The goal wasn’t just to cross the finish line,” said Xiong Youjun, CEO of the center. “It was to test key technologies through the rigors of a long-distance run, then improve technological breakthroughs, and finally, lay the groundwork for robots to enter factories and daily life services.”
Tiangong Ultra required just three battery swaps throughout the race and was supported by a helper running nearby for safety. It demonstrated notable resilience across the race terrain, showcasing its precision in motion control, heat-resistant joints, and core AI algorithms.
China’s Robotic ambitions
The marathon was more than a media spectacle. It embodied China’s broader ambition to become a world leader in humanoid robotics—an industry officially designated a “strategic frontier” by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2023. The ministry set targets for mass production and supply chain security by 2027, amid geopolitical and technological rivalry with the United States.
“This marked a new starting gun for the whole industry,” said Liang Liang, deputy director of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. “It also sparked deeper public discussion around human-machine coexistence, raised awareness, and will help accelerate the development of the robotics industry.”
China’s current momentum in AI and robotics development may also act as a technological counterbalance in the face of recent tariff escalations imposed by the United States.
Robots in the Race—and the Factory Floor
While Boston Dynamics and Tesla continue to dominate headlines in the U.S. with humanoid prototypes, China is rapidly transitioning from demonstration to deployment. Domestic companies are not only advancing in core R&D but also working to make humanoid robots commercially viable.
One notable example is Unitree Robotics, which recently priced its G1 humanoid model at 99,000 yuan (approximately $13,560), significantly undercutting Tesla’s projected price range for its Optimus robot.
UBTech Robotics, another Chinese firm, is set to deploy 20 industrial humanoid robots on automobile assembly lines operated by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co. Full deployment is expected in the first half of 2025.
According to a report by Leaderobot and nine other institutions, China is on track to produce over 10,000 humanoid robots this year, accounting for more than half of global production and generating revenue exceeding 8.2 billion yuan ($1.14 billion).
Global Eyes on Technological Competition
Experts say the marathon was not just a test of physical endurance but a statement of capability. “I’m actually very impressed that the robots managed within the time limit,” said Alan Fern, professor of computer sciences and AI at Oregon State University. “I would have bet that none of them would finish.”
Though most robots required human assistance—some tethered or remotely guided—they still provided a tangible glimpse of humanoid AI outside the lab. The humanoids’ variety of form, locomotion styles, and gait designs were also evaluated, with awards for innovation and endurance presented at the finish line.
Tang Jian, chief technology officer at the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, underscored the competitive edge of Tiangong Ultra. “I don’t want to boast, but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” he said, citing the robot’s specialized algorithm that mimicked human biomechanics.
Despite the technological prowess on display, humans still held the edge in sheer athleticism. The men’s race was won in 1 hour and 2 minutes—nearly 100 minutes faster than the top robot’s time. Amateur runners, sharing the course, were often seen pulling out their phones mid-race to film their robotic counterparts, underscoring both the novelty and excitement of the event.
Yet the symbolism was clear: While robots may lag in speed, their steady advancement suggests a future where human-machine collaboration is not just inevitable—but already underway.