World’s First Humanoid Robot Half Marathon Postponed Due to Wind Concerns

The highly anticipated Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, set to make history as the first event where humanoid robots would compete alongside human runners, has been rescheduled from April 13 to April 19, 2025. Organizers cited forecasts of strong winds as the primary reason for the postponement, emphasizing safety concerns for the robotic participants. Experts noted that windy conditions pose significant risks to robots, potentially causing balance issues due to limited training data under such circumstances. This groundbreaking race aims to showcase advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, aligning with China’s ambition to lead in frontier technologies. The event is hosted in an area that houses over 100 robotics companies and is supported by a 10-billion-yuan government fund. Participating robots are required to exhibit human-like movements and complete the 21.1-kilometer course within 3 hours and 30 minutes. The opening ceremony will also feature robot hosts, underscoring China’s commitment to technological innovation in AI and robotics.