April 19, 2025 – Over 20 humanoid robots competed at the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing on Saturday. This marks the first large-scale public event where autonomous humanoid robots raced alongside humans in a real-world challenge.
The participant robots were accompanied by human trainers, ensuring safety and monitoring performance. Designed by various tech companies and research institutions, these robots were equipped with advanced technologies like AI-powered motion systems and real-time pathfinding capabilities to manage the 21.1 Km distance.
Tiangong Ultra, the winning robot designed by Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, finished the race in two hours and 40 minutes. The men’s winner of the race finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes.
In the words of Tang Jian, CTO for the robotics center, “Tiangong Ultra’s impressive performance was supported by its long legs and an advanced algorithm that mimics the way humans run a marathon.”
Tech companies and research institutions in China are actively working to advance humanoid robotics. Their efforts aim to position China as a global leader in the robotics field and to drive national economic growth.
The event served as a platform for companies like DrovidVP, Unitree Robotics, and Noetix Robotics to exhibit their latest humanoid models. Many robots struggled from the beginning. For instance, one robot fell at the starting line while another crashed into a railing after running a few meters.
Despite these mishaps, the event continued with enthusiasm, as other robots managed to stay upright and navigate the course. Organizers intended the event to promote awareness as well as advancements in humanoid robots. It highlights the nation’s commitment to integrating robotics and AI in various aspects of society.
The event’s success will have a positive impact on the overall growth of the humanoid robot sector. It will create more interest in humanoid robotics as well as attract new investments in research and development.
According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the global humanoid robot market size is projected to total US$ 4.32 billion in 2025 and US$ 69.74 billion by 2032. Global demand for humanoid robots will likely increase at a staggering CAGR of 48.8% during the forecast period.
Rising adoption of humanoid robots across diverse industries such as research, space exploration, healthcare, and entertainment is expected to fuel sales growth. Similarly, continuous advancements in humanoid robots, as demonstrated in the latest racing event, will bode well for the industry.
“There is a growing trend of using humanoid robots across different industries to enhance efficiency, lower costs, and reduce errors. This is expected to drive growth of the humanoid robot industry in the coming years,” says a senior analyst at CMI.”
Robots participating in marathons signal their industrial potential. It demonstrates their mechanical endurance, advanced navigation capabilities, and growing ability to operate autonomously over long periods.
The success of this event proves that humanoid robots can handle the complexity and unpredictability of long-distance navigation. It can pave way for more widespread adoption of these robots, leading to robust growth of the industry.
Leading humanoid robot manufacturers will look to develop advanced models that can navigate complex environments. This will help them to meet evolving needs of end users during the forthcoming period.
Sources:
News Outlet: Reuters
News Platform: CNN World
