As the world gears up for the groundbreaking debut of the first global humanoid robot half-marathon, Beijing stands at the forefront of a technological spectacle. Scheduled to kick off tomorrow, the event has drawn over 20 teams from across the country, all converging at the Beijing Smart Esports Event Center in Yizhuang. As a reporter, I recently toured the venue to uncover the meticulous preparations, innovative technologies, and intriguing stories behind these mechanical contenders.
The Journey to Beijing: Logistics and Challenges
For humanoid robots, traveling long distances poses unique hurdles, primarily due to their built-in batteries, which restrict air transport. Many out-of-town teams opted for road freight to ship their robotic athletes, a practical solution that avoids the complications of air travel regulations. Smaller robots, fitting snugly into oversized suitcases, even “rode” the high-speed rail alongside their technical teams, showcasing a blend of ingenuity and logistical adaptability .
One standout team from Shanghai, responsible for the “Xingzhe-2” humanoid robot, arrived with seven robots representing two teams. During a recent 5-kilometer test run, Xingzhe-2 completed the course effortlessly, a testament to its advanced design. Team leader Li Qingdu emphasized their confidence in the robot’s ability to finish the half-marathon without battery changes, thanks to its 6-hour dynamic battery life and optimized control strategies, including a gait energy recovery mechanism that minimizes energy waste . This focus on efficiency highlights the critical balance between power consumption and performance in long-distance robotics.
The Contenders: Meet “Tiangong Ultra”
Among the local competitors, Beijing’s “Tiangong” series has garnered significant attention, particularly the “Tiangong Ultra.” Standing at 1.8 meters, this “tall athlete” was chosen for its exceptional running capabilities. According to team spokesperson Wei Jiaxing, Tiangong Ultra’s high-power integrated joints and low-inertia leg structure give it explosive speed, making it ideally suited for the demands of a half-marathon .
Notably, Tiangong Ultra has already completed a full half-marathon in under three hours, a feat that suggests it could outperform many human runners. This pre-race achievement underscores the robot’s durability and mechanical precision, positioning it as a strong contender in tomorrow’s race . The team’s choice to prioritize a larger, more powerful model reflects a strategic focus on maximizing speed and endurance, key factors in such a rigorous event.
The Human Element: Technicians and Trainers
While the robots are the stars of the show, the human teams behind them face their own challenges. Technicians, navigators, and operators must run the entire 21 kilometers alongside their robots, a physical demand that has prompted many to secretly train for the marathon. This dual role—maintaining technical control while enduring the physical strain of the race—adds a unique human dimension to the technological showcase .
For Li Qingdu, the goal extends beyond winning awards. His team aims to demonstrate the advantages of bionic drive technology, particularly the stability and light gait achieved through tendon-rope drive systems. By completing the marathon, they hope to validate the feasibility of this technology for long-term, sustained use, a milestone that could accelerate applications in robotics . Wei Jiaxing echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the event bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and the public, fostering a social environment conducive to technological promotion and solving key challenges like hardware durability and long-term operational stability .
The Course: Design and Rules
The racecourse, spanning 21.0975 kilometers from the South Gate of Nanhaizi Park Phase I to the Tongming Lake Information City, is meticulously designed to test the robots’ adaptability. Divided by a green belt and fence, one side is reserved for human runners, while the other accommodates the humanoid robots, ensuring safety and separation .
The terrain includes flat sections and slopes with a maximum gradient of 9 degrees, providing a realistic challenge without extreme obstacles. The route is linear, with no U-turns and turns of at least 90 degrees, simplifying navigation for the robots. Organizers will provide GPS coordinates to each team, aiding in path planning .
Starting procedures are equally precise: robots will line up in a “Z” formation in two columns, with 3 meters of vertical space between each robot in the same column. Launches will be staggered, with each robot starting at least one minute— but no more than two minutes—apart. The rules encourage continuous running and discourage battery or robot swaps, with penalties for substitutions, emphasizing endurance and reliability .
Cutting-Edge Safeguards: Smart Monitoring and AI
To ensure safety and smooth operations, the event employs advanced monitoring systems, dubbed “clairvoyant eyes” and “divine ears.” Leveraging the autonomous driving demonstration zone’s roadside sensing equipment, high-precision 3D real-scene data, and intelligent monitoring tools like guide vehicle tracking and pacemaker wristbands, organizers can dynamically track the race from all angles .
This integrated system provides real-time updates on guide vehicle trajectories, crowd and vehicle flows, and the status of both human and robot participants, ensuring rapid response to any incidents. A visual large model adds another layer of security, automatically detecting six types of emergencies, such as falls or smoke, and dispatching appropriate responses instantly. Meanwhile, “intelligent patrol inspectors” conduct regular automated sweeps of the entire course, minimizing risks and enhancing operational efficiency .
The Broader Implications: Technology and Community
Beyond the excitement of the race, this event serves as a pivotal platform for advancing humanoid robot technology. By subjecting robots to real-world conditions, engineers can identify and address critical challenges in hardware durability and long-term stability, driving product iteration and practical applications. For the public, the spectacle demystifies advanced robotics, making cutting-edge technology more accessible and fostering interest in STEM fields .
As the countdown to the race continues, the tension between technological innovation and human effort is palpable. Each team’s journey—from transporting their robots to fine-tuning their mechanics and preparing for the physical demands of the race—reflects the intersection of engineering prowess and human dedication. Tomorrow’s marathon will not only crown champions but also mark a significant stride in the evolution of humanoid robotics, proving that the future of technology is as much about collaboration and endurance as it is about innovation.
In the coming years, events like this could become milestones in the integration of robotics into daily life, paving the way for applications in logistics, healthcare, and beyond. For now, all eyes are on Beijing’s 赛道 (translator’s note: racecourse), where humanoid robots are poised to rewrite the boundaries of what machines can achieve.
This article synthesizes exclusive insights from onsite observations and team interviews, offering a comprehensive look into the technological marvel and human dedication behind the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon. As these mechanical athletes take their first steps tomorrow, they carry with them the hopes of innovators and the promise of a more integrated technological future.