In a thrilling race in Beijing, humans have come out on top against humanoid robots in a historic half-marathon, marking a pivotal moment in the realm of robotic technology!

Over 12,000 spirited human athletes and 21 innovative humanoid robots took part in this unprecedented 13.1-mile event. While the competition was exciting, safety necessitated separate tracks for the runners and the mechanical competitors.

Despite the robots' advanced design, only six managed to cross the finish line, with many failing early due to overheating or falls. The fastest robot, named "Tien Kung Ultra," developed by UBTech and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, clocked in at 2 hours and 40 minutes—far behind the humans' impressive winning time of just 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Interestingly, Tien Kung Ultra required human handlers for battery changes three times during the race, akin to pit stops in a car race! The event clearly highlighted remarkable advancements in robotic technology, showing that while robots are gaining ground, there's still a significant gap to bridge.

Robotics expert Alan Fern from Oregon State University reflected on this progress, stating, "Only five years ago, we struggled to make robots walk consistently. Today, they're remarkably stable and running impressively!"

Spectators like He Sishu noted, "I feel like I'm witnessing the evolution of robots and AI right before my eyes!" This event not only showcased the rivalry between humans and machines but also hinted at a future where such contests could become more evenly matched.

As excitement buzzes for next year's race, one thing is for certain: in the race between humans and robots, the competition is heating up!