Humanoid robots have beaten human runners in a Beijing half-marathon, marking a breakthrough in China’s rapidly advancing robotics industry. More than 100 robots competed alongside 12,000 people in the 21-kilometre race, with three crossing the finish line ahead of any human. The champion robot completed the course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, surpassing the half-marathon world record, though it required guidance near the end. The event reflects China’s national push to develop autonomous machines for factories, services and homes, with every race generating data to train the next generation of humanoid technology.