Humanoid robots show rapid advances as they race past humans in Beijing half-marathon

The Guardian World News
by Reuters
April 19, 2026
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2 min read

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Humanoid robots reportedly outran human runners in a Beijing half-marathon, with one robot setting a faster time than a world record.

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Humanoid robots demonstrated significant athletic progress by outperforming human runners in a Beijing half-marathon on Sunday. A winning robot recorded a faster time than Jacob Kiplimo’s world record, marking a substantial improvement from the previous year's inaugural race where many robots struggled to finish. More than 100 Chinese-made humanoid robots ran in parallel tracks to avoid collisions with humans, showcasing their rapidly advancing capabilities. This event highlights the swift development in robotic athleticism, contrasting sharply with last year's mishaps.

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