Mikkel Christensen
A humanoid robot has stunned spectators after outperforming human runners in a half-marathon in Beijing.
A humanoid robot has stunned spectators after outperforming human runners in a half-marathon in Beijing.
The event highlights rapid advances in robotics and artificial intelligence.
According to The Standard, citing Agence France-Presse, the race took place in Beijing’s Yizhuang district, where robots and human runners competed in separate lanes.
Record-breaking run
The winning robot completed the 21-kilometer course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.
That time beat all human competitors in the race and surpassed the official men’s world record of 57:20.
Rapid progress
The result marks a major leap from last year, when robot runners struggled to finish and often fell.
More than 100 humanoid robots took part this year, compared with around 20 in the previous event.
Mixed reactions
Spectators were impressed by the performance, with one attendee describing the race as “pretty cool.”
Others expressed concern about the pace of technological progress and its potential impact on jobs.
Future outlook
Observers said robots could soon become part of everyday life, including roles in caregiving or dangerous work.
The report noted that China continues to invest heavily in robotics, reflecting the sector’s growing importance.
Sources: The Standard, Agence France-Presse
