Humanoid Robot Beats Human World Record at Beijing Half-Marathon
A humanoid robot developed by Honor has outpaced the human half-marathon world record at a robot race in Beijing, highlighting rapid advances in China’s robotics sector.
The robot completed the 21-kilometre course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds at the Beijing E-Town Robot Marathon on Sunday, according to organisers. The time surpasses the current human world record set by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo, who clocked approximately 57 minutes earlier this year.
The achievement marks a dramatic improvement from the inaugural event last year, when the fastest robot finished in over two hours and 40 minutes. This year’s competition also expanded significantly, drawing more than 100 teams, including several international participants.
Despite the breakthrough performance, the race was not without challenges. Some robots struggled at the старт, with one falling and another colliding with a barrier. Organisers said around 40% of participants operated fully autonomously, while others relied on remote control.
The event reflects China’s broader push to lead in advanced technologies, including humanoid robotics, which has become a key focus in national development plans and global competition with the United States.
Industry analysts note that Chinese firms are already emerging as leaders in the sector, with companies such as Unitree Robotics and UBTech Robotics among top global suppliers of general-purpose humanoid robots.
