Humanoid robot "Flash" of Pofengshandian Team in the remote-controlled category crosses the finish line during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Humanoid robot named "Flash" from Shenzhen Honor Smart Technology Development Co., Ltd. claimed victory at the 2026 Beijing E-Town half-marathon with a time of 50 minutes and 26 seconds in autonomous navigation on Sunday, beating the human world record of 57:20.
The men's half-marathon world record was created by Uganda's star distance runner Jacob Kiplimo at the Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal last month.
At the inaugural E-Town half-marathon in 2025, Tiangong Ultra seized victory in two hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds, and only six out of the 20 competing teams successfully finished the 21.0975-kilometer race to make history.
In the second edition of the event on Sunday, humanoid robots made remarkable progress and demonstrated technological breakthroughs to become faster and more stable in running. The number of participating teams increased to more than 100 this year, including participants from Germany, France and Brazil.
In terms of competition rules, robots and human runners followed the same route but separate lanes to ensure safety, and the robot's cutoff time was set at three hours and 40 minutes. The newly added format this year includes two ways of participation - remote control and autonomous navigation.
For teams in remote control, their finishing times need to be multiplied by a coefficient of 1.2. About 40 percent of the teams adopted the autonomous navigation to achieve better results.
"The setting of coefficient aims to guide and encourage the research and development of autonomous navigation, which represents a technological foundation for humanoid robots to be applied in more scenarios in our daily life towards future," explained Liang Liang, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Institute of Electronics.
On the human's side of E-Town half-marathon, China's Zhao Haijie took the men's title in one hour, seven minutes, and 47 seconds, while his compatriot Wang Qiaoxia was crowned in the women's race with 1:18:06.
Gold medalist "Flash" (C) of Qitiandasheng Team in the autonomous category poses during the awarding ceremony for the humanoid robots' half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Flash" of Jueyingchitu Team in the remote-controlled category crosses the finish line during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalists pose during the the awarding ceremony for the "Dare to Be" robots competition during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalist "Flash" (C) of Qitiandasheng Team in the autonomous category, silver medalist "Flash" (2nd L) of Leitingshandian Team in the autonomous category and bronze medalist "Flash" (1st R) of Xinghuoliaoyuan Team in the autonomous category pose during the awarding ceremony for the humanoid robots' half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalist Wang Qiaoxia (C), silver medalist Yang Xiaoli (L) and bronze medalist Zhang Xiaomin display the medals and trophies during the awarding ceremony for the women's half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalist "Flash" (C) of Qitiandasheng Team in the autonomous category, silver medalist "Flash" (2nd L) of Leitingshandian Team in the autonomous category and bronze medalist "Flash" (1st R) of Xinghuoliaoyuan Team in the autonomous category pose during the awarding ceremony for the humanoid robots' half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" of Hang S Sai Team in the autonomous category crosses the finish line during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalist Zhao Haijie (C), silver medalist Yan Ruiyang (L) and bronze medalist Chen Zhicheng display the medals and trophies during the awarding ceremony for the men's half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" of Hang Y Sai Team in the autonomous category crosses the finish line during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Flash" of Leitingshandian Team in the autonomous category crosses the finish line during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong 1.0 Ultra" (L) of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Gold medalist "Flash" (R, front) of Qitiandasheng Team in the autonomous category, silver medalist "Flash" (L, front) of Leitingshandian Team in the autonomous category and bronze medalist "Flash" (C, front) of Xinghuoliaoyuan Team in the autonomous category pose after the awarding ceremony for the humanoid robots' half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Humanoid robot "Flash" of Jueyingchitu Team in the remote-controlled category starts during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Gold medalist Wang Qiaoxia (C), silver medalist Yang Xiaoli (R) and bronze medalist Zhang Xiaomin display the medals and trophies after the awarding ceremony for the women's half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Gold medalist Zhao Haijie displays the medal and trophy after the awarding ceremony for the men's half-marathon at the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2025" of Tianyi Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Engineers change batteries for the humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2025" (C) of Tianyi Team in the autonomous category during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2026" of Kexinweilai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2026" of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Humanoid robot "Flash" of Qitiandasheng Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Humanoid robot "Yuanqizai" of Xiongshishanyao Team in the remote-controlled category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" of Hang Y Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Humanoid robot "Flash" (C) of Jueyingchitu Team in the remote-controlled category starts during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Engineers check the humanoid robot "Tiangong 3.0" (2nd L) of Zhipaozhe Team in the remote-controlled category during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Humanoid robot "GRH150-001" (L) of Guijipaozhe Team in the remote-controlled category is carried on the support vehicle during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Booster T2" of Yunchuan Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" (top R) of Hang U Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Runners (R) and humanoid robot "Booster T2" (C) of Qinghe Team in the autonomous category compete during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Yuanqizai" of Yuanqizaizizhubenxing Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong 1.0 Ultra" (2nd R, front) of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category falls down during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2026" of Tiantong Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Taishan E1" of Xingzhe Team in the remote-controlled category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Linglong" of Guoyinyuanzheng Team in the remote-controlled category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2025" of Tianyi Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2025" of Tianyi Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" of Bei Y Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Engineers change batteries for the humanoid robot "Yuanqizai" (front R) of Jixieyinqing Team in the remote-controlled category during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" (bottom) of Hang S Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong 1.0 Ultra" of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong 1.0 Ultra" of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong 1.0 Ultra" of Tianxiao Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" (front) of Hang U Sai Team in the autonomous category and runners compete during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Yifan)
Engineers change batteries for the humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2026" (C) of Tiantong Team in the autonomous category during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" (front) of Shang Y Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Humanoid robot "Unitree H1" (L) of Hang S Sai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Flash" (L) of Pofengshandian Team in the remote-controlled category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "X1" (R, front) of Pofengzhe Team in the remote-controlled category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra-2026" of Kexinweilai Team in the autonomous category runs during the Beijing E-Town half-marathon and humanoid robots half-marathon in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in southeast Beijing, China, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
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