Introduction: While humans are striving for personal bests (PB) in marathons, a group of ‘Iron Clumsy’ robots has quietly taken to the track. In April 2025, the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon took place in Beijing’s Yizhuang—some robots continued to sprint even after losing their heads, others sported adorable sun hats, and some fell spectacularly but quickly got back up… This seemingly comical event actually conceals the hardcore logic behind breakthroughs in humanoid robot technology. Today, we unveil the story behind this ‘Tech Marathon’.
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1. Spectacle on the Track: Robots Running the Marathon, Memorable Moments Abound
On the 21.0975-kilometer track, over 20 robots of various shapes and sizes staged a ‘tech version of the Tortoise and the Hare’. The 1.8-meter tall ‘Tiangong Ultra’ won with a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, equivalent to a ‘novice pace’ for human runners, yet it set a milestone in robot long-distance running. More competitors contributed to memorable moments:
– ‘Headless Horseman’: A robot’s head accidentally fell off, yet it continued to run with its four mechanical legs, prompting netizens to exclaim, ‘It resembles the stubbornness of a worker’;
– ‘Battery Swapping Maniac’: To address the short battery life, competitors frequently dashed into supply stations to swap batteries, with champion Tiangong Ultra changing batteries three times mid-race, and the runner-up ‘Little Rascal’ swapping five;
– ‘Human Exoskeleton’: Engineers accompanied the robots throughout the race, some holding leashes to prevent falls, while others remotely controlled them, resembling walking ‘electronic dogs’.
These seemingly humorous moments are, in fact, a true reflection of technological breakthroughs—from ‘falling every time it walks’ a decade ago to now challenging a half marathon, robots have taken a significant step forward.
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2. Hardcore Breakthroughs: Three Major Technologies on Display
1. ‘Little Brain’ Evolution: Dynamic Balance’s Ultimate Challenge
The track included 14 sharp turns and a 9-degree steep slope, requiring robots to adjust their joint positions 40 times per second to prevent falls. The champion Tiangong Ultra is equipped with the ‘Wisdom Opens Things’ intelligent platform, which allows it to autonomously get back up even after falling, thanks to real-time environmental perception and motion planning. The bionic tendon-driven ‘Walker II’ demonstrated a dynamic endurance of 6 hours, proving that biomechanical design can significantly reduce energy consumption.
2. Endurance Revolution: From ‘Old Phones’ to ‘Marathon Warriors’
Most robots still require frequent battery swaps, but innovations are emerging: dual-battery hot-swapping technology allows the ‘Little Sea’ robot to complete a battery swap in one minute; Songyan Power’s N2, through lightweight design, reduces its weight to 10 kg, balancing speed and endurance. Experts point out that energy efficiency remains the biggest bottleneck, but the industry chain is targeting ‘ten-thousand-yuan-level endurance solutions’.
3. Cost Game: From ‘Money-Burning Toys’ to ‘Practical Tools’
*The cost of participating robots generally exceeds 500,000 yuan, with custom sports shoes priced similarly to an average person’s half-year salary. However, the maturity of the industrial chain, such as motors from the Yangtze River Delta and sensors from the Pearl River Delta, is driving costs down. Tsinghua’s ‘Kua Fu’ robot has entered factory training, performing tasks like handling and sorting with an efficiency of 70% compared to skilled workers—signs of commercial viability are emerging.
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3. The Future is Here: Infinite Possibilities from Track to Scene
This event is not only a technological testing ground but also points the way for industry implementation:
– Industrial Revolution 4.0: Robots capable of long-distance inspections can delve into factories, warehouses, and power grids, replacing high-risk operations;
– Special Rescue: In tasks such as post-disaster rubble search and polar exploration, highly mobile robots will become ‘guardians of life’;
– Life Services: Bartending, coffee delivery, companionship, and guiding… Robots like ‘Orca’ have already demonstrated multi-modal service potential.
Beijing Yizhuang plans to launch a ‘Humanoid Robot Sports Meeting’ within the year, covering 20 events including soccer and gymnastics, further validating collaborative capabilities in complex scenarios. As experts say, ‘Today’s stumbling is the prototype of future restaurant waiters and hospital caregivers.’
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Conclusion: The Marathon of Technology Doesn’t Fear Awkward Starting Positions
When ‘Tiangong Ultra’ crossed the finish line, it was not only the champion but also a symbol of humanoid robots stepping from the laboratory into reality. This event showed us that technological progress never starts perfectly; every fall is an opportunity to rise again. Perhaps in the near future, these ‘Iron Clumsy’ robots will traverse the streets, becoming indispensable partners in human life. The future is here, are you ready?