A humanoid robot has won a half-marathon race for robots held in Beijing on Sunday, delivering a performance that has highlighted China’s rapid progress in robotics and artificial intelligence.
The winning robot, developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, completed the 21-kilometer (13-mile) race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, according to a statement from the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, where the event took place.
The timing was notably faster than the human world record for the same distance, set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who completed the half-marathon in approximately 57 minutes in March.
The race marked a major improvement from last year’s inaugural edition, when the winning robot took 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds to finish the course. This year’s competition also saw a significant expansion, with more than 100 teams participating, including five international entries.
However, the event also highlighted technical challenges in humanoid robotics. Some robots struggled during the race, with one falling at the starting line and another colliding with a barrier along the course. Organizers said around 40% of the robots were able to navigate the route autonomously, while the rest were remotely controlled.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that a robot was deployed as a traffic officer during the event, using arm gestures and voice commands to guide participants, showcasing broader real-world applications of robotics technology.
The development comes amid intensifying global competition in advanced technologies, particularly between China and the United States. Beijing has identified robotics and artificial intelligence as key strategic sectors in its latest five-year plan, which emphasizes breakthroughs in frontier science and technology.
According to a recent report by Omdia, Chinese firms including AGIBOT, Unitree Robotics, and UBTech Robotics Corp. are among the global leaders in humanoid robot shipments, each delivering more than 1,000 units last year, with some exceeding 5,000 units.
This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. Translated with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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