Robots outpace humans in Beijing half marathon

Separate race tracks ensure safe competition

Spectators gathered in Beichuan, south of the capital, to watch robots and human athletes compete, with separate tracks assigned to prevent collisions or accidents. Some robots displayed impressive agility, while others moved more steadily.

Winning robot completes race in record time

The winning robot, equipped with an autonomous navigation system and developed with participation from Chinese smartphone company Honor, completed the 21-kilometre course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, averaging 25 km/h, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The time surpassed the fastest human finish on the day.

Rapid progress compared to previous year

The result marks a major improvement from last year, when humanoid robots struggled to complete the course, with the fastest taking more than two hours and forty minutes. This year, participation also surged from around 20 robots to over 100.

Public reaction highlights excitement and concern

Spectators expressed both amazement and concern, with some noting that robots are becoming fast enough to rival human performance. While many welcomed the innovation, others voiced worries about the potential impact of rapid technological development on jobs.

Growing role of humanoid robots in daily life

Observers and participants noted that humanoid robots are increasingly visible in China and are expected to play larger roles in everyday life, including household tasks, elderly care, and hazardous work such as firefighting.

Rising investment in robotics and AI

The event reflects China’s push to advance robotics and embodied artificial intelligence, with investment in the sector projected to reach 73.5 billion yuan ($10.8 billion) by 2025, according to government estimates.