Beijing recently hosted the much-anticipated “world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon,” aiming to display the advancements in robotics.
However, instead of showcasing revolutionary breakthroughs, the event highlighted just how far humanoid robots still have to go.
The 2025 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon featured a dedicated running lane for 21 robots representing cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Suzhou. The event was intended to promote the progress of Chinese robotics, spotlighting machines like SE01, known for its natural gait, Star1, the world’s fastest robot, and NEO Gamma, an AI-powered humanoid butler.
However, reality was far from the sleek marketing campaigns. Media reports, particularly from NDTV, painted a less flattering picture. Many robots started spinning in place almost immediately, while others collapsed after barely covering 80 meters. Viral footage showed humanoids tripping, malfunctioning, and even losing their heads mid-race, forcing human handlers to intervene repeatedly.
Some robots froze entirely or veered off course, showcasing clear software or sensory failures. Even those who managed to keep moving were criticised for their extremely slow pace, as human escorts leisurely walked behind them while actual marathon runners sped past. Notably, the one robot that eventually crossed the finish line required several battery replacements during the race, raising serious concerns about battery life and efficiency.
Social media users didn’t hold back their humour. One Weibo user remarked, “It’s just walking a marathon, can it be considered running?” while another quipped, “This event proves that humanoid robots are now used for comedy.”
While humanoid robots often seem highly advanced in curated videos and staged presentations, Beijing’s robot half-marathon served as a stark reminder: the robotics industry still faces significant hurdles before truly autonomous humanoids can match human capabilities in real-world conditions.
