The humanoid robot that won the race—Tien Kung Ultra—was developed in China, but the specific company behind it has not been publicly named in the initial Global Times report or other widely available sources as of now.
China just took another big step forward in robotics.
Over the weekend, the country held what’s believed to be the world’s first half-marathon for humanoid robots, and one of them actually finished the entire 21-kilometer race in under 2 hours and 40 minutes.
That’s not just impressive—it’s a serious sign of how far China’s robotics scene has come.
Watch this short video from NBC News:
Here’s why this race matters:
1. Robots built to last
Finishing a long-distance run like that isn’t just about speed—it’s about endurance and staying balanced for hours, which is no easy task for a bipedal robot. The fact that China’s humanoid runners managed it without breaking down shows that their mechanical engineering is getting seriously advanced. Some bots even had hot-swappable batteries and ruggedized feet, which let them keep going without missing a step.
2. Smart bots on the move
Getting through a half-marathon course also means these robots had to know where they were going and how to get there—without falling over. That kind of real-time navigation and self-balancing takes solid AI. We don’t know how independent the robots were—maybe they followed a pre-set path—but they clearly had at least some degree of autonomy.
3. A growing industry
Around 20 companies took part in the event, including well-known names like Unitree. That tells us there’s not just one or two players in the game—China has a whole ecosystem of companies working on humanoid robotics, from startups to big tech firms. The competition is healthy, and innovation is happening across the board.
4. Backed by the state
This wasn’t just a fun stunt. It was covered by state-run media and clearly designed to show off progress to the world. The government’s backing is real, and events like this help promote China’s ambitions in AI and robotics on the global stage. Even small details—like separating humans and robots for safety—show that there’s thought going into practical deployment, not just flashy demos.
5. Part of a bigger plan
China has been putting major focus on AI and robotics for years now, through initiatives like the “New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan” and “Made in China 2025.” This race is just one example of how those plans are moving from paper to reality.
The humanoid robot that won the race—Tien Kung Ultra—was developed in China, but the specific company behind it has not been publicly named in the initial Global Times report or other widely available sources as of now.
Given the involvement of multiple Chinese robotics companies in the event—such as Unitree Robotics, Leju Robotics, and NOETIX—it’s likely that one of the lesser-known or state-affiliated tech labs could be behind Tien Kung Ultra.
The name “Tien Kung” (or “Tiangong”) translates to “Heavenly Palace,” which is often associated with Chinese space or high-tech government-backed initiatives, suggesting possible links to a state research institute or university lab.
Bottom line?
China may not have surpassed global leaders like Boston Dynamics or Honda yet, but it’s catching up—fast. The shift from lab-based prototypes to robots that can handle real-world conditions is a big deal.
This marathon race wasn’t just for show—it was proof that China’s robotics scene is becoming a serious contender.
READ MORE ODD NEWS.
SCREENSHOT PHOTO FROM NBC’s YouTube video
