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A humanoid robot has made history after completing a half-marathon in record time in Beijing, competing alongside human runners and highlighting China’s rapid progress in robotics and artificial intelligence.
The event, held in the Yizhuang district of southern Beijing on Sunday, saw both human athletes and robots take part in the race, running in separate lanes to ensure safety and prevent collisions. Large crowds gathered along the route to witness the unusual competition between man and machine.
Among the robotic entrants, designs varied widely—some demonstrated advanced athletic movement similar to elite sprinters, while others showed more basic mobility and stability.
The winning humanoid robot, developed with an autonomous navigation system and operated by Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor, completed the 21-kilometre (13-mile) course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. It maintained an average speed of approximately 25 km/h (15.5 mph), according to reports from state media.
The performance significantly outpaced the top human finisher in the race and even surpassed the men’s world half-marathon record of 57:20, held by Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo.
This marks a dramatic improvement compared to last year’s event, when many robots struggled with balance and some failed to complete the course within nearly three hours.
Organisers noted that participation has surged, with more than 100 humanoid robots entering this year’s race, compared to around 20 in the previous edition. The growing interest reflects the increasing focus on robotics innovation and real-world testing.
The half-marathon is designed to promote technological advancement and accelerate development in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence applications.
According to industry data, China’s investment in robotics and embodied AI reached approximately 73.5 billion yuan (around $10.8 billion) in 2025, underscoring the country’s ambition to lead global innovation in the sector.
