The Yizhuang Half Marathon in China marked a historic moment in sports with the participation of Tiangong, the first humanoid robot to compete in an official event. Developed by the Beijing Robotics and AI Innovation Center, Tiangong stands 1.63 meters tall and weighs 48 kilograms. It features articulated arms and legs, advanced visual perception, strong physical capabilities, and an innovative predictive learning system based on imitative reinforcement.
During the race, Tiangong initially supported other athletes before joining the run in the final stretches. Wearing a race bib, it maintained a steady pace, reaching a maximum speed of 12 km/h and completing the course to widespread amazement. Although its running style was less fluid than that of human athletes, Tiangong received the same official participation certificate as the other runners. Its dual role was not only to test its abilities but also to help maintain the pace of other participants.
The event captivated both spectators and athletes, marking a significant milestone in the application of robotics in sports. Tiangong represents an open-source project aimed at accelerating the integration of robots into human life, demonstrating that androids can not only imitate human behavior but also adapt and progressively improve. This official debut of a humanoid robot in a sports competition opens new horizons for technology and sports, suggesting future applications in various aspects of daily life.