Robots reminiscent of Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt powered through a half marathon in Beijing on Sunday, setting a faster time than the human world record and showcasing China’s rapid advancements in robotics.
Spectators lined the course of the Yizhuang half marathon to watch the machines compete, with some robots displaying impressive speed and complexity while others were more rudimentary. The event featured separate lanes for robots and human runners to prevent collisions.
The winning robot, equipped with autonomous navigation and representing Chinese smartphone brand Honor, completed the approximately 21-kilometer course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds—an average speed of about 25 km/h—according to state broadcaster CCTV. This time beat not only the first human finisher but also the official men’s half marathon world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds set by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo.
**Remarkable Progress Since 2025**
Behind safety barriers, 25-year-old student Han Chenyu, wearing a cap and sunglasses, could barely pull out her phone before a robot zipped past. She expressed excitement about the event but also concern: “As a future worker, I’m quite worried. If technology advances too fast, it could impact employment,” she said, referring to potential job displacement by AI and robots.
The progress since the 2025 edition was stark. That year, the winning robot finished nearly three times slower (2 hours, 40 minutes, 42 seconds), and numerous falls marred the race. This year, the robots’ strides were far smoother, and the number of participating teams surged from about 20 to over 100—a sign of growing enthusiasm in the sector, according to organizers.
**Human Supremacy Challenged?**
Humanoid robots have become a common sight in Chinese media and public spaces in recent years. “I think within three to five years, they will be part of our daily lives,” said 41-year-old spectator Xie Lei, who attended with his family, citing applications in household chores, elderly companionship, and dangerous jobs like firefighting.
The half marathon aims to popularize these technologies and spur innovation. According to an official study, investments in robotics and specialized AI in China reached 73.5 billion yuan (about €9.4 billion or $11.1 billion) by the end of 2025.
“For thousands of years, humans have been at the top. But now look: robots, at least in autonomous navigation in a sports event, are starting to surpass us,” Xie Lei said with a smile. “On one hand, it’s a bit sad for humanity. But technology, especially in recent years, opens so many new horizons for us,” he concluded.
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