Beijing: A Chinese android just achieved a groundbreaking feat by completing a half-marathon faster than any human has ever managed. Lightning, a running robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, finished the 21-kilometer race in an impressive 50 minutes and 26 seconds, surpassing the human world record by over six minutes.
According to Ghana Web, the human record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds is held by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo, as recognized by World Athletics. The bright-red humanoid robot, standing 169cm tall, maintained its speed throughout the race using its short forearms for balance, and showed no signs of slowing down as it crossed the finish line.
This achievement marks a significant advance for China in its technological competition with the US, which has previously been known for more advanced humanoid models. Since 2015, China's robot industry has been progressing rapidly, following a government initiative that identified robotics as a key sector for industrial upgrading. This focus includes a 2023 policy document that highlights humanoid robotics as a new frontier in technological competition, with a target set for 2025 to achieve mass production and secure supply chains for key components. These goals are reflected in China's economic plans for the coming years.
The country's ambitions have fueled a surge in robot sporting events, such as the world's first Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing last year, which featured competitions in soccer, boxing, martial arts, and other sports. Additionally, robots showcased their martial arts skills during China's annual televised new-year extravaganza, captivating audiences with their kung-fu choreography.
This year's humanoid half-marathon saw participation from over 100 teams, a significant increase from the previous year. Despite the larger number of participants, many robots delivered underwhelming performances. However, Lightning not only surpassed its human rivals but also defeated the previous champion robot by nearly two hours. The half-marathon organizer noted that Lightning's autonomous navigation and burst power were crucial to its victory, as stated on social media.