China’s humanoid robot half-marathon puts technology’s limits on public display

The world’s first half-marathon with humanoid robot participants in Beijing has offered a striking glimpse into the progress and challenges of the country’s robotics industry, as only six out of the 21 robotic runners completed the competition.

The 21km race, held in the Yizhuang district of China’s capital city, featured robots running alongside human runners for the first time. It evoked images of the first motor race 131 years ago, when 21 early automobiles competed in Paris at a time when horse-drawn carriages were the main form of transport. The Saturday event showcased China’s ambition to grow companies capable of rivalling Boston Dynamics and Tesla, which is developing the humanoid robot Optimus.

China has emerged as a leader in humanoid robotics, with 56 per cent of the world’s 100 publicly traded companies in the sector based in the country, according to Morgan Stanley. Companies such as Unitree Robotics, AgiBot, Galbot, Engine AI and Leju Robotics planned to produce more than 1,000 robots this year, according to TrendForce.

While Chinese companies have recently poured resources into developing and promoting humanoid robots, the half-marathon showed that it could be years before the machines can replicate simple human motion.

Tien Kung – a 180cm, 55kg robot developed by Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, also known as X-Humanoid – claimed first place in the humanoid category, completing the course in two hours and 40 minutes. It was the only one to finish in under three hours, the minimum threshold for half-marathon qualification set by the Chinese Athletic Association.

The runner-up, Beijing-based Noetix’s N2, finished in three hours and 37 minutes, while Shanghai-based DroidUp finished in four hours and 25 minutes.

  

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