Humanoid robots have started participating in half marathons and full marathons in China, marking a significant development in how technology is blending into sports. At the 2024 Hangzhou Marathon, Yizhuang Half Marathon, and Bejing Half Marathon, robots took on roles ranging from running alongside participants to providing helpful services during the events.
The 2024 Hangzhou Marathon introduced two robotic participants, Go2 and B2, designed to support and pace the real human runners during the race. Go2, a quadruped robot, moved along the racecourse while playing music, offering safety tips, and encouraging runners. These features were intended to keep runners motivated and aware of their surroundings. Meanwhile, B2, another quadruped robot, served as a pace-setter. With its consistent speed and distinctive bunny ears symbolizing its role as a “pace rabbit,” B2 helped participants regulate their running speed throughout the event.
Both robots could provide runners with real-time updates on the weather and environmental conditions. This helped runners adjust their pace or hydration strategies based on the information provided. B2 and Go2 were also designed to avoid obstacles and respond to human interactions, making them both useful and engaging for participants.
At the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing, a humanoid robot named Tiangong participated. Tiangong is a fully electric robot standing 163 cm tall and weighing 43 kg. While Tiangong didn’t complete the entire race, it joined the final 100 meters, crossing the finish line alongside the human runners. Tiangong was also programmed to interact with spectators and participants by shaking hands, waving, and posing for pictures, making it a focal point of the event.
The Beijing Half Marathon took this concept further by introducing an even larger-scale humanoid robot presence. These robots actively participated in pacing groups and provided real-time guidance for runners across different speed brackets. While these humanoid robots didn’t complete the full distance independently, they were strategically stationed at checkpoints, helping regulate crowd flow and offering safety updates. This integration highlighted the ability of humanoid robots to act as both a logistical aid and an entertaining element in large-scale events.
How These Robots Work
The technologies behind these robots are highly advanced. Go2 and B2 are quadruped robots designed for stability and multi-terrain movement. They are equipped with sensors to monitor their surroundings, ensuring they can navigate the racecourse without disrupting runners. Go2 can also perform various physical tricks like backflips and handstands, though these features were primarily used for entertainment during the event.
B2’s main function as a pace-setter involves maintaining a steady, pre-programmed speed that helps runners manage their effort over the long distance. This is particularly valuable in marathons, where pacing can make the difference between finishing strong and burning out early.
Tiangong, the humanoid robot, was created by the National and Local Co-Built Embodied Intelligence Robot Innovation Center. Unlike quadruped robots, Tiangong’s design mimics the human form, which allows it to perform human-like actions such as walking, waving, and shaking hands. Tiangong is powered entirely by electric drives and does not rely on external fuel or support systems, which makes it more sustainable and adaptable for future events.
The humanoid robots at the Beijing Half Marathon were equipped with advanced navigation and interaction systems. They not only provided runners with immediate updates on course conditions but also offered dynamic feedback on performance metrics like split times. This functionality showcased how robots could serve as tools for real-time coaching during races.
Why Robots Are Being Used in Marathons
The increasing use of robots in marathons highlights a few key goals. First, robots like Go2 and B2 provide practical assistance to human runners, such as pacing and sharing important information. By doing so, they enhance safety and help participants perform better.
Second, the robots offer entertainment and engagement, making marathon events more enjoyable for both participants and spectators. For example, Tiangong’s ability to interact with people created a sense of excitement and curiosity among attendees.
There is also a broader vision for integrating robotics into sports. Events like the Yizhuang Half Marathon, Beijing Half Marathon, and the upcoming humanoid robot marathon planned for 2025 aim to demonstrate how robots can coexist and collaborate with humans in various settings. These events provide an opportunity to explore new applications for robotics beyond factories or controlled environments, pushing them into public and real-world activities.
Future of Robots in Marathons
The organizers of the Yizhuang Half Marathon announced plans for the world’s first marathon exclusively for humanoid robots in 2025. This event will be hosted in Beijing E-Town and is expected to attract robotics teams and enthusiasts from around the world. Such events aim to push the boundaries of what robots can do, encouraging the development of faster, more efficient, and more human-like robots.
Additionally, Tiangong’s developers have committed to open-sourcing the robot’s design, which includes its hardware blueprints and software architecture. By making these resources available to the public, the developers hope to encourage innovation in robotics, allowing researchers and engineers to build upon their work. This could lead to more advanced robots that are not only better at running but also capable of performing a wider range of tasks in everyday life.
Implications for Sports and Society
The use of robots in marathons reflects the growing integration of robotics into human activities. While robots currently play supporting roles, such as pacing and providing information, their capabilities are expanding rapidly. In the future, robots might take on more complex tasks, such as monitoring runners’ health in real-time or assisting with medical emergencies on the course.
This trend also raises interesting questions about how sports and technology will intersect moving forward. As robots become more involved in events like marathons, they could change the way these races are organized and experienced. For example, races might include special categories for robots, or robots could work as official race assistants.
Robots running marathons are becoming a practical tool to enhance human experiences. Whether acting as pace-setters, safety aids, or entertainment, these robots are showing how technology can add value to sports and other large-scale events. As development continues, the potential applications of these machines are likely to expand even further.
