Beijing, China – 21 April 2025:
In a landmark event blending human endurance with robotic innovation, a humanoid robot named Tien Kung Ultra has made history by successfully completing and winning a 21-kilometre half marathon alongside human participants in Beijing.
The race marked the first-ever half marathon for humanoid robots in China and showcased the capabilities of next-generation robotics. Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, Tien Kung Ultra completed the marathon in approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, a feat made even more impressive by the robot’s lightweight frame and strategic battery management.
🤖 Built for Speed and Balance
Standing 180 cm tall and weighing 55 kg, the Tien Kung Ultra was designed with a focus on mobility, balance, and efficiency. According to developers, the robot’s battery was replaced three times during the race to optimise performance without increasing weight.
“Installing a larger battery would have impacted the robot’s stride and speed due to additional weight,” said a member of the technical team. “Instead, we focused on a dynamic battery management system to maintain balance and maximise efficiency.”
🏗️ A Government-Supported Technological Leap
The humanoid robot project is not a private endeavour but a public–private partnership supported by the Chinese government. Established in November 2023, the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre was co-founded by three major firms:
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Beijing Jingcheng Machinery Electric
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Xiaomi Robotics
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UBTech Robotics
Each company holds a 28.57% stake, while the remaining 14.29% is owned by a subsidiary of Yizhuang Holdings, a state-owned investment group.
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