Beijing, China — History was made in Beijing on Saturday as “Tiangong Ultra,” a state-of-the-art humanoid robot, clinched victory in the world’s first-ever humanoid robot half marathon. The groundbreaking event saw the robotic athlete complete the 21.0975-kilometer course in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.
The marathon brought together 20 organizations, including national teams, private companies, and university research groups. Each team showcased their cutting-edge robotics technology, with designs ranging from the towering 180-centimeter “Tiangong Ultra” to the compact 75-centimeter “Little Giant.”
Throughout the race, the robots were accompanied by human trainers who provided support and navigation assistance. Teams were permitted to replace batteries and even swap robots in a relay-style format to ensure their mechanical runners could tackle the demanding course.
“During the competition, we faced all sorts of challenging conditions—sharp turns, speed bumps, and potholes. So it’s entirely normal for robots to experience technical glitches,” said Xiong Youjun, team leader of the “Tiangong Ultra” project. “Today, despite minor hiccups along the route, our robot ultimately performed admirably. Simply participating in this event and successfully completing a half marathon is a heroic achievement in itself.”
The event not only tested the limits of robotic endurance but also marked a significant milestone in technological evolution. “This marks the first time in human history that humanoid robots have attempted a half marathon,” Xiong added. “I think every team delivered outstanding performances today.”
While “Tiangong Ultra” crossed the finish line well after the human winner of the men’s race, who completed the course in just over an hour, the robot’s accomplishment signals a new era in robotics and artificial intelligence. The marathon demonstrated how far humanoid robots have come in navigating real-world environments and handling complex tasks.
The successful completion of the race by multiple robots highlights the rapid advancements in robotics technology and its potential applications. From disaster response to space exploration, the capabilities displayed during the marathon suggest a future where robots work alongside humans in various fields.
