Several humanoid robots stunned spectators at a half-marathon in China’s Beijing on Sunday, showcasing rapid technological advances.
The humanoid machines ran alongside humans, and unlike last year’s error-filled debut, when most machines failed to finish, the second year delivered a dramatic leap.
More than 100 humanoid teams joined the race, up from just 20 last year. Nearly half ran the entire 21 km on their own, navigating the course without human control.
The standout performer was a bipedal bot named Lightning, built by Honor, who finished the race in just 50 minutes and 26 seconds, outpacing last year’s time by nearly two hours.
The robot also beat the human half-marathon world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds set by Jacob Kiplimo last month.
Notably, multiple robots outpaced human winners by over 10 minutes.
Engineers credited human-like leg design and advanced cooling systems adapted from smartphones.
While experts say robots still struggle with real-world tasks like handling objects, their rapid progress is undeniable. From factory floors to dangerous jobs, these fast-learning machines are no longer science fiction; they are already racing into reality, with China taking the lead.