Mechanized device now prepared for operation
On the lively streets of Beijing, cameras flashed on April 17, 2025, as a humanoid robot geared up for a half-marathon. The much-anticipated race was scheduled for the weekend ahead in the heart of the city. Snapshots captured the robot's determined stance, setting the stage for an intriguing spectacle.
This half-marathon, unprecedentedly, was the first of its kind featuring humanoid robots. A total of 21 mechanical marvels took part, competing alongside a whopping 12,000 human runners. Among these robots, the leading contenders were:
- Tien Kung Ultra, developed by X-Humanoid, stood tall at 1.8 meters and tipped the scales at 52 kg. The robot demonstrated impressive speed, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 2 hours 40 minutes [2][3].
- N2, a creation from Noetix Robotics, stood shorter at 1.2 meters and weighed a mere 29 kg. Although it came in second place, N2 managed to complete the race wearing children’s sneakers, finishing in an admirable 3 hours 37 minutes [2].
- X02, developed by DroidUp, wore boxing gloves and placed third in a time of 4 hours 50 minutes, showcasing its tenacity [2].
A Unitree G1/G2 model, though unofficially, participated in the race. Unfortunately, a robot, presumably a G2, tripped at the start, clarifying that the company did not formally enter the competition [2][3].
In an interesting twist, the human winner outran all the robots, finishing the half-marathon in an astounding 1 hour 2 minutes, leaving the robotic participants far behind [2]. The race was a testament to human endurance and the ongoing advancements in robotics technology. The event prompted discussions about the potential of robots in future athletic events, sparking curiosity among spectators all over the world.
- The first-of-its-kind half-marathon in Beijing, 2025, was unprecedentedly dominated by 21 humanoid robots, including Tien Kung Ultra, N2, and X02, alongside 12,000 human runners.
- Despite N2 from Noetix Robotics finishing second, it made a striking impression by completing the race in children’s sneakers, setting a time of 3 hours 37 minutes.
- In a surprising turn of events, the human winner outpaced all the robotic participants, outrunning them with an astounding time of 1 hour 2 minutes, demonstrating the enduring power of human athleticism and the ongoing advancements in technology in sports.
