Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 7 (Reporters Guo Yujing and Zhang Xiao) Humans and humanoid robots run a half marathon together - a scene that has not even been staged in science fiction movies will become a reality in Yizhuang, Beijing on April 13. What are the core highlights behind the historic "Man-machine Half Horse Agreement"? Why do people use robots to "cross-border running"? What challenges will the robot face after finishing the race? Recently, Xinhua News Agency reporters exclusively interviewed the event organizers and participating companies.

　　How is the preparations for human-machine running?

　　Every spring, marathon events in various places spring up like mushrooms after a rain. In the world's only "Double Olympic City" and international science and technology innovation center, Beijing, the 2025 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon will be held on April 13 to focus on the "sports + technology" route. For the first time, the competition will be held in an innovative form of simultaneous registration between humanoid robots and humans and start at the same time, and a total of 21.0975 kilometers will be held.

　　At present, how is the core preparations for the event progressing? Li Quan, member of the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone Working Committee and deputy director of the Management Committee, told reporters that the event attracted more than 30,000 human contestants to register. In terms of robots, global humanoid robot companies, research institutes, robot clubs, universities and other innovative entities are enthusiastic and registration is also enthusiastic.

　　In November 2024, the humanoid robot "Tiangong" debuted at the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon. (Photo provided by the interviewee)
　　It is worth noting that in order to ensure safety, this competition has physical barriers between humans and humanoid robots, and the corresponding competition rules and finishing time are also different. But this epoch-making man-machine running together obviously releases a strong sense of "technology entering reality".

　　How are the robot players prepared? The reporter visited the preparatory site and found that the participating teams are accelerating the iteration of robotic motion capabilities in terms of parts, intelligence, etc., and racing against time to carry out technical research. Some participating robots have a maximum running speed of 12 kilometers per hour. Considering that road running has a great impact on the body, some robots add buffering devices, and some wear special running shoes.

　　Liang Liang, deputy director of the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee, introduced that since the competition is the first time in the world and there is no ready-made experience and data for reference, the event guarantee and the contestants face many challenges. In order to do a good job in robot support, the organizer has specially set up support vehicles, robot supply stations, etc. In addition, communicate in-depth with each participating team before the game, jointly promote technical research and development and functional running-in to help each team achieve its own growth goals.

　　Why does technology "cross-border" with marathons?

　　At the 2024 Paris Olympics, artificial intelligence technology deeply empowers real-time data monitoring, 3D picture capture, referee referee decision-making, etc., which not only improves athlete training efficiency, but also makes competitive sports more fair, demonstrating the beautiful value of technology empowering life.

　　Behind the "half-marathon" of this human-machine run, it is the humanoid robot industry that has found the "latest intersection" with people, sports, and marathons. Industry insiders said that the "half-marathon" sport has achieved a perfect balance of "challenge and accessibility". Not only is the "threshold" friendly to participate, but it also focuses on the comprehensive test of the contestants' physical fitness and willpower, which ultimately brings people a strong sense of accomplishment. Humanoid robots also value these characteristics when running "half-horse" and hope to use "half-horse" to verify the achievements of industrial development and promote technology to better serve people.

　　The humanoid robot "Tiangong" march display (photo taken on February 24). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Huanzong
　　What is the significance of running together with human-machine? Xiong Youjun, CEO of Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, believes: "This is not just a simple sports competition, but also an "extreme test" of technological breakthroughs and industrial development."

　　A person in charge of participating robot companies told reporters that robots can verify the maturity of technology, promote the establishment of industry standards, and further force technological innovation. On the one hand, it promotes the upgrade of upstream components such as high-torque motors, flexible joints, and wear-resistant materials; on the other hand, it also promotes higher precision coupling of robot software and hardware technologies, and in-depth cooperation between manufacturers and AI algorithm companies.

　　This will open up a new application space for the development of the humanoid robot industry. Promote products to further engage in social and production scenarios such as disaster rescue, long-distance inspection, special dangerous operations, intelligent manufacturing, etc., and even enter families to participate in elderly care, etc., and become an assistant to human life. As the ability gradually improves, humanoid robots can also become a sparring trainer for professional runners, directly "feeding back" to the development of sports.

　　What challenges does robots face in "horse running"?

　　Many industry insiders introduced that in fact, humanoid robots made of thousands of parts still face considerable challenges to run in a stable state for a long time.

　　Xiong Youjun introduced that the real road conditions and experimental scenarios are very different. In order to finish the race, the robot must first have high-density integrated joints and machine bodies that are adapted to long-distance running and excellent heat dissipation technology; secondly, the robot must be able to control the coordinated movement of each joint with high precision, realize functions such as running, positioning, and dynamic obstacle avoidance, and test its core algorithm development and adaptability; and "horse running" fully tests the robot's stability, reliability and endurance, and complex road conditions such as turning, uphill, and downhill all put high requirements on machine performance.

　　In Beijing Robot Industrial Park (Yizhuang), the humanoid robot "Tiangong" developed by the embodied intelligent robot innovation center jointly built by the state and local governments is performing a running display (photo taken on February 24). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ju Huanzong
　　Since there are still many technical problems to be solved in the development of the industry, complex natural conditions outdoors will also disturb the operation of the robot. From this stage, robots can run with people, but they still cannot meet the conditions for "co-race", so this event is more like an industrial dialogue and a robot "big training".

　　From a human perspective, by running with machines and watching the game on site, we will gain more sensory experience and knowledge expansion. These gains are not empty and abstract. The "better collision" between science and technology and society is conducive to better grasping the "human-machine boundary", consolidating the original intention and underlying logic of science and technology to benefit mankind, and promoting the development from "human-machine symbiosis" to "human-machine co-prosperity".

　　"It can be said that the essence of the humanoid robot 'horse running' is that human imagination and dreams are running. This is the biggest highlight of the competition." Li Quan said that no matter what the result is, when the humanoid robot crosses the finish line, in addition to speed and ranking, the footprints it leaves are more precious than medals. The 21-kilometer track will eventually be completed, but the exploration of human-machine collaboration will not stop.

[Editor in charge: Chen Tingyu]