China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing 2

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing 3

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. Robots also showcased smooth dance moves at a special stage next to the marathon path at the robot mall.

China: Humanoid Robot Sets New Half-Marathon World Record in Beijing

A half-marathon featuring both humanoid robots and human runners was held in Beijing on Sunday, April 19. The winning robot "Lightning", developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the men's human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot falls upon starting a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

A humanoid robot takes part in a half marathon for robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon

Robot marathon

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Robot marathon in Beijing

Robot marathon in Beijing

Photo shows the winner of a half marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing on April 19, 2026.

Humanoid robot learning athlete's running techniques

Humanoid robot learning athlete's running techniques

Elite long-distance runner Asahi Kuroda runs with a humanoid robot developed by GMO Internet Group at an athletic field in Kawasaki near Tokyo on April 2, 2026. The company is developing a humanoid robot that can be deployed in manufacturing processes by having robots learn athletes' running techniques.

Humanoid robot learning athlete's running techniques

Humanoid robot learning athlete's running techniques

Elite long-distance runner Asahi Kuroda runs with a humanoid robot developed by GMO Internet Group at an athletic field in Kawasaki near Tokyo on April 2, 2026. The company is developing a humanoid robot that can be deployed in manufacturing processes by having robots learn athletes' running techniques.

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

AI-equipped humanoid (L) and quadruped robots are pictured during an experiment on March 10, 2026, in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan. The Building Research Institute, which jointly developed the robots with Pocket Queries Inc., conducted the experiment to test their abilities for use in disaster relief.

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

AI-equipped humanoid (L) and quadruped robots are shown to the press on March 10, 2026, in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan. The Building Research Institute, which jointly developed the robots with Pocket Queries Inc., conducted an experiment to test their abilities for use in disaster relief the same day.

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

Humanoid and quadruped robots for disaster relief

AI-equipped humanoid (R) and quadruped robots are shown to the press on March 10, 2026, in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan. The Building Research Institute, which jointly developed the robots with Pocket Queries Inc., conducted an experiment to test their abilities for use in disaster relief the same day.

Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

Visitors interact with a humanoid robot developed by Japanese telecommunications operator KDDI Corp. at the Mobile World Congress, one of the world's largest and most influential connectivity trade fairs, in Barcelona, Spain, on March 2, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

Humanoid Robot Training Ground

QINGDAO, CHINA - JANUARY 12, 2026 - Humanoid robots are trained in sorting, tallying, and other skills at a training ground in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning how to clean a microwave oven at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is practicing grasping objects at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize stationery at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to sort and deliver packages at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to sort and deliver packages at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is practicing grasping objects at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A data collector is training a robot to grab objects at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning component sorting at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize ingredients at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to grab and retrieve material plates at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to grab goods at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to organize shelves at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A data collector is training a robot at the Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

Humanoid Robot Data Collection Training Ground in Qingdao

A humanoid robot is learning to grab and retrieve material plates at the data collection training ground for humanoid robots in Qingdao, Shandong, China on January 12, 2026.