China Robot Marathon Targets Human Record
Saturday, 2026/03/28185 words3 minutes697 reads
Beijing will host a humanoid robot half marathon on April 19, and experts believe the winning time could approach human world records. In just one year, significant improvements in robot hardware and algorithms have dramatically increased running speed and control.
Tiangong, the robot from Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, won last year's competition in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. Its top speed has doubled from 6 km/h to 12 km/h. Tang Jian, the center's chief technology officer, revealed that some teams are now targeting the human champion record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.
The course includes diverse terrain such as flat sections, gravel roads, grass, slopes, and uneven segments. More than 20 teams from universities and corporations will participate. This year's event introduces a separate autonomous driving category, where robots must perceive their environment, set routes, and make real-time decisions independently.
The improvements come from enhanced joint power, new cooling technology for sustained performance, and advanced motion control systems that mimic human gait patterns. Some robots can now complete the entire half marathon on a single battery charge, demonstrating remarkable energy efficiency.
