Humans far behind as robot breaks record at Beijing half marathon
A humanoid robot broke the world record at the Beijing half marathon, completing the 21-kilometer course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. The robot, sponsored by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, outperformed human runners and demonstrated significant advancements in robotics technology.
A humanoid robot competing in the Beijing half marathon broke the world record on Sunday, finishing the 21-kilometer course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. The robot, sponsored by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, was equipped with an autonomous navigation system and averaged a speed of about 25 kilometers per hour. This performance far surpassed the top human runner in the event and the current men's world record of 57:20 held by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo. The number of humanoid entries in the event jumped from around 20 last year to over 100, showcasing the rapid growth of the robotics sector. The event aimed to encourage innovation and popularize the technologies used in creating and operating humanoid robots. Investment in robotics and embodied AI in China reached 73.5 billion yuan ($10.8 billion) in 2025, according to a government agency study.
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