A humanoid robot developed in Jinan is drawing attention as it prepares for a major endurance test. "Xingzhe Taishan", created by Yobotics, is training for the 2026 Beijing E-town Half-Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon by running up to 21 kilometers a day.

Scheduled for April 19, the race will bring together humanoid robots and human runners, offering a real-world test of robotics performance in long-distance scenarios.

To meet the challenge, engineers are focusing on improving stability during high-speed movement and enhancing autonomous navigation in complex environments. The robot is also equipped with a liquid cooling system to manage heat generated by prolonged operation.

"Stability is the foundation for any future application," said Zhou Tong, vice-manager of Yobotics, noting that continuous and reliable operation is essential if robots are going to be adopted for industrial and household use.

The company plans to deploy a team of seven to eight robots in both autonomous and remote-controlled categories, aiming to complete the race while demonstrating natural, human-like movement.

The humanoid robot "Xingzhe Taishan" undergoes daily training at Qilu Software Park in Jinan, clocking 21 kilometers to prepare for its marathon debut. [Photo/New Times]

Engineers analyze motion data in real-time as the humanoid robot trains. [Photo/New Times]