In a groundbreaking move, robots are set to participate in a half marathon for the first time ever in the historic race to be held in Daxing District, Beijing, China in April. The announcement was made by the Beijing Municipal Government Information Office on March 4, marking a significant advancement in the realm of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Deputy head of the area’s administrative committee, Li Quan, disclosed that humanoid robots, alongside human participants, will tackle the 21 km course on April 13. The robots, representing a variety of companies, will have their own designated lane separated by barriers or green belts, as reported by Xinhua. With a strict 3.30-hour time cap, the robots must complete the race within the designated time frame. Teams have the liberty to change the robot’s battery or swap robots during the event, albeit in a relay format, with each swap incurring a 10-minute penalty.

To be eligible for the race, robots must be humanoid in design, capable of bipedal locomotion, and not reliant on wheels for movement. They can operate manually, semi-automatically, or fully automatically. Adherence to track regulations, safety measures, and technical guidelines is paramount to ensure a fair and secure competition environment.

The top three finishers will be awarded monetary prizes, with additional accolades for endurance, speed, and popularity. The event, organized by the Beijing Economic and Technical Development Area (E-Town), is open to global entities such as companies, research institutions, robotics clubs, and universities, provided their robots exhibit human-like features and bipedal locomotion capabilities.

Notably, this initiative builds upon previous instances of robotic involvement in marathons, including the deployment of four-legged robots as pacers and cheerleaders in the 2024 Hangzhou Marathon and the appearance of robot Tiangong at the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing. However, the forthcoming event in Daxing marks a significant milestone as it will be the first instance of robots competing throughout the entire race course.

China’s rapid strides in artificial intelligence and robotics underscore its ambition to lead the global technology landscape, particularly in light of demographic challenges posed by an aging population and declining birth rates. With a strategic focus on fostering technological innovation, China has emerged as a frontrunner in deploying robots across various sectors, with significant contributions from E-Town in advancing high-tech industries like aviation and semiconductors.

As China grapples with a shrinking workforce and an impending demographic shift, the country has taken proactive measures to harness the potential of robotics. By leveraging automation and AI technologies, China aims to mitigate labor shortages and enhance productivity, as evidenced by its substantial robot deployment, accounting for over half of the world’s robotic workforce by 2023.

The upcoming half marathon in Beijing symbolizes a convergence of technology, athleticism, and innovation, showcasing the transformative power of robotics in redefining traditional sporting events. As the world eagerly anticipates this historic race, it underscores the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of sports and heralds a new era of human-robot collaboration on the track.