(Yicai) April 21 -- Twenty-one robot runners made by some of China's top android makers and 12,000 humans took part in the world's first half-marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing.

Four robots completed the 21-kilometer course within the allotted four hours on April 19. The open-road marathon had strict endurance, motion control, and environmental adaptability requirements to promote product development and technology upgrades.

Engineers were allowed to replace malfunctioning robots during the race, with several refueling stations providing battery swapping and repair services to help more androids finish the race.

Pic 1: X-Humanoid's Tiangong Ultra crosses the finish line in two hours and 40 minutes to win the humanoid robot race.

Pic 2: Engineers from X-Humanoid escort Tiangong Ultra during the marathon to monitor its condition.

Pic 3: An engineer carries a malfunctioning robot runner that needs to be replaced with a new model to continue the race.

Pic 4: A robot racer lies motionless on the ground while its engineers prepare its replacement model, and another android surpasses it.

Pic 5: Robot runners and their makers take a group photo at the finish line.

Editor: Martin Kadiev