On April 19, 2026, at the Beijing Yizhuang Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, the ‘Lightning’ robot, hailing from the Glorious Monkey King Team, surged to victory, completing the course in an impressive 50 minutes and 26 seconds (net time). This remarkable feat not only secured its championship title but also eclipsed the human world record for the half marathon, which stands at 56 minutes and 42 seconds.
Developed by Honor, the ‘Lightning’ robot towers at 169 cm, boasting a sleek and streamlined mecha design. Its cutting-edge features include a high-power liquid pump mounted on its back, high-torque joints for enhanced mobility, and a high-energy-density battery that provides the endurance needed to conquer the race.
This year’s event witnessed a significant expansion in scale, nearly quintupling in size compared to previous years. Over a hundred teams participated, including leading companies and esteemed university research institutes. The technological categories showcased at the marathon encompassed autonomous navigation and remote control, highlighting the rapid advancements in robotics technology.
