World's first humanoid robots half-marathon kicks off in Beijing

Step by mechanical step, dozens of humanoid robots take to the streets of Beijing, joining thousands of their flesh-and-blood counterparts in a world-first half marathon showcasing China's drive to lead the global race in cutting-edge technology. 

The half-marathon, to be held in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area will mark the first time in the world that robotic and human participants run along the same route on separate tracks. A humanoid design of participating robots is required, which need to be capable of bipedal walking or running, but wheeled structures are excluded. 

The robot teams will be allowed to replace batteries or switch robots in a relay format, but each replacement will receive a 10-minute penalty. As of now, around 20 robot teams have registered for the upcoming half-marathon, which also attracted about 30,000 human runners signing up for the lottery of 12,000 berths.