World’s First Human-Machine Half-Marathon: A New Era in Robotics

Event Overview
Originally scheduled for April 13 in Beijing’s Yizhuang district, the world’s first human-machine half-marathon has been rescheduled to April 19 due to extreme weather conditions. This groundbreaking event will pit cutting-edge humanoid robots against human athletes on a 21.1 km course, with robots running on a dedicated, barrier-separated track to ensure safety and fairness.

Behind the Scenes: Rigorous Training & Innovation
To conquer this unprecedented challenge, teams have pushed their robots to the limits of endurance and intelligence:

• Endurance Testing: Daily test runs span 16+ hours (10 a.m.–2 a.m.), with battery swaps every 30 minutes for uninterrupted operation.
• Distance Covered: Each robot completes ≥21.1 km daily, accumulating 20+ days of real-world road testing.
• Algorithm Breakthroughs: “We’ve optimized motion control and energy distribution to tackle dynamic terrains and fatigue,” said Cui Wenhao, Algorithm Lead at Songyan Dynamics.

Spotlight on Competing Robots

1. Tiangong Robot

(By Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center)

• Height: 1.8 m | Key Strengths: Long-stride speed, multi-terrain adaptability (slopes, gravel, sand), and advanced AI integration.
• Marathon Upgrades: Enhanced battery capacity, lightweight design, and thermal management for joints.
• Smart Features: Executes voice commands (e.g., object sorting) while maintaining stability on uneven surfaces.

2. Songyan Humanoid Robot

(Developed in Beijing’s Changping District)

• Height: 1.2 m | Key Strengths: Agile joints, rapid directional shifts, and dual-mode control (manual/autonomous).
• Innovation: Proprietary drive system enables child-like running mechanics with real-time obstacle avoidance.

Why This Race Matters
This event marks a historic leap for humanoid robotics:

• From Labs to Reality: Transitioning from controlled environments to unpredictable outdoor conditions tests mobility, stability, energy efficiency, and AI decision-making under real-world pressures.
• Industry Implications: Success here accelerates applications in logistics, disaster response, healthcare, and beyond.
• A Vision of Coexistence: “This isn’t just a race—it’s about proving robots can thrive alongside humans in complex environments,” noted a senior robotics engineer.

Precision Bearings for Advanced Robotics
At the heart of these sophisticated humanoid robots are high-precision bearings that ensure smooth and reliable operation. Benning Technology (倍宁科技) specializes in producing a wide range of bearings used in robotic applications, including:

• Ultra-Thin Wall 617 Series Deep Groove Ball Bearings
• Thin Wall 618 & 619 Series Deep Groove Ball Bearings
• 16000 Series Deep Groove Ball Bearings
• Thin Wall 718 & 719 Series Angular Contact Ball Bearings
• Micro Angular Contact Ball Bearings for Robotic Finger Joints
• Crossed Roller RA-C Series, RU Series, CRB-A Series, BNAT Series, CSF Series, SHF Series
•  High-Speed Cylindrical Roller Bearings

These precision-engineered components play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of humanoid robots, ensuring they can operate efficiently under demanding conditions.

Join the Future
As pioneers in humanoid robotics, we invite partners and innovators to collaborate in shaping a world where humans and machines conquer challenges together. Stay tuned for race-day breakthroughs!