China to Host World’s First Marathon Featuring Humans and Robots Together in April 

Fri Jan 24 2025
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Key points

  • Humanoid robots from 20 companies to run alongside humans
  • Running on two legs, Humanoid form height between 0.5m to 2m are criteria for robots
  • Top three finishers to receive prizes
  • Owners can change the batteries of robots during the run

ISLAMABAD: China is preparing for a ground-breaking event because it is going to host the world’s first-ever marathon featuring human and humanoid robot runners together.

According to Global Times, for the first time, humanoid robots will be running in a half-marathon, scheduled in April in Beijing’s Daxing district.

Around 12,000 athletes will participate in the race along with robots from around 20 companies running together with them on the 21km route, according to local authorities.
The top three runners, whether human or robotic, will receive prizes, according to the organizer.

Remote control

Companies, research institutions, robot clubs, and universities will take part in the marathon bringing their humanoid robots. Remote-controlled and fully autonomous robots are eligible.  Operators can replace batteries while the race is going on.

Running criteria for robots include a humanoid form and the ability to run on two legs. They must also be between 0.5 meters to 2 meters tall.

Among the prominent runners is “Tiangong,” a humanoid robot developed by China’s Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center, which in the past ran at the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing.

China’s robot policy

China is centering itself at the forefront of humanoid robot innovation. Taking Beijing as an example, the city is preparing for more robot-based competitions, including the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Sports Games later this year, according to Global Times.

In 2025, Beijing is trying to prioritize the development of future industries including humanoid robots, commercial space, biomanufacturing, and new materials, according to the government work report presented to the third session of the 16th Beijing Municipal People’s Congress on January 14.

“US tech companies, such as Tesla and NVIDIA, have certain advantages in areas like precise upper limb manipulation and operational capabilities, as well as in high-end chip manufacturing and cloud computing services,” Yao Qiyuan, marketing manager of the Shenzhen-based EngineAI Robotics Technology Co.

Robotics research

“If we compare the humanoid robotics industry to a marathon, China and Western counterparts are all within the first 1,000 meters of the starting line,” Jiao Jichao, vice-president and executive dean of UBTech Robotics’ research department said.

China’s humanoid robot industry has seen sudden growth in recent years.

In 2023, China installed about 276,300 robots, covering 51 per cent of international installations, according to the International Federation of Robotics. The nation’s robotics industry is expected to grow to 400 billion yuan ($55 billion) by 2030.

On the world level, Tesla’s bi-pedal humanoid robot Optimus can navigate rough terrain using neural networks to manage its electric limbs, the company’s CEO Elon Musk posted on X in December 2024. Musk has also predicted that by 2040, the global use of humanoid robots will surpass 10 billion.

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