Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — China is set to host a groundbreaking half-marathon (21 km) where humans will compete alongside humanoid robots, marking a new milestone in the evolution of robotics and artificial intelligence.
According to Merdeka, the event is scheduled to take place in April at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town) in Daxing District, a major industrial hub in the Chinese capital.
E-Town has become a key center for China’s robotics industry. More than 100 companies operate in the area, manufacturing core components, robotic systems, and applications. The district contributes nearly 50% of Beijing’s total robot production output, valued at approximately 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion).
The race is expected to attract 12,000 human participants alongside dozens of bipedal robots developed by leading robotics companies, including Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and 1X. With both human and robotic competitors on the starting line, this could be one of the most unconventional half-marathons in history.
Who Can Compete?
The event is open to companies, research institutions, robotics clubs, and universities worldwide. To qualify, robots must have a humanoid appearance and a mechanical structure that enables them to walk or run on two legs.
Participating robots must be between 0.5 meters and 2 meters in height, with a minimum hip-to-foot joint distance of 0.45 meters. Both remotely controlled and fully autonomous robots will be allowed. Prize money will be awarded to both human and robotic winners based on their performance.
Robot Chances of Winning
Current bipedal robots reportedly have speeds ranging from 8 to 12 km/h, whereas completing a half-marathon in 90 minutes requires an average speed of 14 km/h. While humans are limited by fatigue, robots face their own challenge: battery life.
To address this, event organizers will allow robots to swap batteries during the race, ensuring they have a fair shot at completing the course.
China’s Vision for AI and Robotics
This ambitious initiative aligns with China’s long-term vision of establishing a comprehensive robotics ecosystem. According to Xinhua, China’s robotics industry is projected to reach a market value of $54 billion by the end of the decade.
“Looking ahead, Beijing E-Town will focus on advancing artificial intelligence technologies, industrializing high-end humanoid robots, and fostering a world-class innovation ecosystem,” local officials stated in a press release.
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The event also underscores the intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence, with China and the United States emerging as the dominant players.
Washington has expressed concerns over potential AI misuse by China, discussing the issue in closed-door meetings. The U.S. has also imposed restrictions on technology investments in China, further highlighting the growing rivalry in this critical sector.
As China pushes the boundaries of robotics and artificial intelligence, the upcoming half-marathon will serve as a unique showcase of technological progress and human endurance. Whether robots can keep pace with human runners remains to be seen.
(Raidi/Agung)
