A humanoid robot completed a half-marathon in Beijing faster than the current human world record, highlighting recent advances in China’s robotics technology, The Associated Press reported.
The robot, developed by Honor, a Chinese consumer electronics company, finished the 21-kilometer race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, according to the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town), where the event took place. This result was faster than the human record set by Jacob Kiplimo, who ran the distance in about 57 minutes in March.
The performance marked a major improvement from the previous year, when the winning robot completed the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds. Although there were some technical issues, with robots falling or colliding with barriers, spectators said the overall result — a robot autonomously running 21 kilometers faster than a human — was astonishing.
According to Honor representatives, the robot was designed with features inspired by human athletes, including long legs and a liquid-cooling system. Some of these technologies may have future industrial applications, they added.
The event reflects China’s broader focus on technological development, particularly in robotics, as part of its long-term economic strategy. In February, several Chinese robotics firms presented their robots in complex, synchronized performances without falling. Humanoid robots performed coordinated dances, martial arts moves and even acrobatics at China’s Spring Festival Gala.
