The second global half-marathon for humanoid robots is scheduled to take place in Beijing in April 2026. The event organizers intend to introduce stricter regulations to encourage developers to create more self-governing and sturdy machines. This competition will be held on April 19th in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, where the inaugural such race occurred this year. During the run, the robots will compete against human athletes on a route covering the commercial sector and Nanhai Park.
According to the organizers, the aim is to boost robots’ operational time from batteries and lessen their reliance on operator assistance. Autonomy is now deemed the primary objective for participants, rather than an optional feature. The first half-marathon garnered considerable attention, with its broadcast attracting around 128 million viewers. However, several robots could not complete the distance independently, requiring battery replacements or even device swaps during the race. Consequently, the rules for 2026 will be tightened: teams face substantial penalties for any human interference on the track, which will increase support expenditures.
Liang Liang, Deputy Director of the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town, remarked that such measures will prompt engineers to concentrate on enhancing robot reliability and stamina. Jiang Hongchao, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, added that robotics is among the most rapidly advancing sectors within the city. Beijing plans to continue furnishing real-world settings for technology trials, which will foster breakthroughs in industry progress.
Half-marathon participants believe this event serves as a crucial proving ground for technology. Cheng Hao, founder of Booster Robotics, pointed out that public demonstrations quicken advancement in robotics. In addition to the race itself, two training camps for teams will be staged in Beijing E-Town in January and February 2026.
The first humanoid robot half-marathon, held in April 2025, proved to be not only an athletic but also an engineering challenge. The 21.1 km distance presents a considerable test for mechanical systems, balance, and energy efficiency. Achievements in this field could lead to the creation of robots capable of performing extended tasks in challenging environments, such as search and rescue operations.
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