World’s first humans v robots MARATHON announced with bi-pedal bots from 20 tech firms pitted against 12k living runners
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CHINA is set to host the world's first man vs robot half-marathon between two-legged robots and 12,000 human runners. Dozens of bi-pedal bots from 20 different tech firms are expected behind the start line in Beijing in April for a technological test like no other.
![[Robot and human runners crossing a half-marathon finish line.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/robot-sprints-finish-line-alongside-965271741.jpg?strip=all&w=633)
The engineering exhibition comes as China ramps up its efforts to prove itself as front-runner in the artificial intelligence (AI) race with the US. Alongside the mechanical contenders will be 12,000 people to allow a comparison between the tech and its human models.
![[Humanoid robots at the World Robot Conference.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000888874241.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place as usual - but this time the medals could be hung around cold metal necks. The competitors will run a a 21 kilometre (13 mile) route through the city. The robots entered into the race are from different manufacturers in E-town - the state-level industrial area in Daxing district, with multiple industrial parks that support hi-tech industries.
![[Two robots playing soccer.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/200-teams-20-countries-regions-944040738.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And there are restrictions on the kind of bot that can enter. The machines must be humanoid, meaning they bear a strong resemblance to human beings. They must be able to perform bi-pedal (two-footed) walking or running, ruling out anything that uses wheels.
![[Two engineers working on a humanoid robot.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shenzhen-based-robotics-company-new-965271749.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The bots must also be between 0.5 and 2 metres tall, and their maximum extension distance from the hip joint to the sole of the foot must be at least 0.45 metres. Both remote-controlled and fully automatic humanoids are eligible to race and batteries can be replaced mid-dash.
![[Robot concierge at Henn na Hotel.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2015-sasebo-nagasaki-japan-henna-224059429.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
