Robots Challenge Humans: Robots Penalized for Going Beyond the Set Course

Robots Challenge Humans 

Robots Challenge Humans: 42 Robots Race on a 1,500-meter Track in Beijing

The Chinese capital, Beijing, witnessed an exceptional event with the launch of the 1,500-meter race for humanoid robots as part of the 2025 World Robot Games. Forty-two intelligent robots lined up on the starting line in an atmosphere reminiscent of athletics competitions, according to a video published by Reuters, citing Chinese television.

The competition, which took place on a 400-meter track inside the National Speed Skating Arena – built specifically for the Beijing Winter Olympics – attracted the attention of the audience after the participating robots were divided into 11 groups, a scene that reflects the rapid development of the field of robotics.

For the first time, the organizing committee introduced a new rule stipulating that robots that go beyond the set course will be penalized, adding an even more challenging aspect to the race. First place went to Beijing Lingyi Technology's Unitree H1 robot, which finished the race in 6 minutes and 34 seconds, to applause from the audience.

"The race put a lot of pressure on the robot's components and control algorithms, but we learned from the experience and will strive to further improve its performance in the future," said Liu Jinda, a member of the company's development team. On the other hand, spectator Ma Li expressed his surprise, saying, "I thought robots were slow, but I was surprised by their agility and endurance over a distance of 1,500 meters, which exceeded my expectations."

He continued, "Every time I watch such competitions, I notice the tremendous progress robots are making." The World Humanoid Robot Games, which runs until Sunday, followed the 2025 World Robot Congress, aims to showcase the latest technologies in collaborative movement and intelligent decision-making.