Humans Defeat Robots in Historic Beijing Half-Marathon

At the Beijing Yizhuang half-marathon, 21 humanoid robots raced alongside thousands of human runners in a world-first event designed to showcase Chinese advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. Despite their novelty and varied designs, the robots—developed by companies such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics—were outpaced by humans, with the fastest robot, Tiangong Ultra, finishing well behind the men's winner. The robots were accompanied by teams of engineers and often needed physical support, illustrating the current limitations of robotic autonomy in real-world scenarios. Organizers and officials described the race as a technological demonstration rather than a true competition, likening it more to motorsport due to the reliance on engineering support. While the event highlighted China’s ambition to lead in AI and robotics as part of its economic growth strategy, experts noted that such demonstrations, while impressive, do not yet reflect practical industrial capabilities. Going forward, developers indicated a shift in focus toward useful applications for robots in factories and business settings rather than public spectacle.