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A self-governing humanoid robotic constructed by the smart device maker Honor has actually shattered the human half-marathon record.
Called the Honor Robotics D1, the mech-inspired, vibrant-red bot finished the 13.1-mile (21.1 kilometers) race in 50 minutes, 26 seconds at the 2026 Beijing E-Town Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, eclipsing the previous human record of 57 minutes, 20 seconds, which was set by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo in March
Another different robotic that Honor agents exposed at Spain’s MWC Barcelona (previously referred to as Mobile World Congress) in March finished the race even quicker– in simply 48 minutes, 19 seconds. This humanoid maker wasn’t granted the win since it was from another location managed, rather than being totally self-governing, and was therefore offered a 20% time boost charge.The outcome is particularly significant when you compare it with in 2015’s race, when the winning design attained a finishing time of 2 hours, 40 minutes. Both the 2nd and 3rd runners-up in this year’s material were likewise Honor robotics, crossing the line at around 51 minutes and 53 minutes, respectively.
Honor’s very first robotic, that it showcased at MWC Barcelona, is 5 feet, 3 inches (1.6 meters) high, weighs 176 pounds (80 kgs) and shows 20 degrees of liberty, with human-like, five-fingered hands. This differs from D1, which was enhanced for aerodynamics with easy, blade-like appendages.
Honor’s robotic uses the gold medal after the occasion.
(Image credit: VCG through Getty Images)
Whereas the MWC bot peaked at 2.5 miles per hour (4 km/h), D1 reached an amazing typical speed of 15.6 miles per hour( 25.1 km/h )in Beijing.
A crucial part of D1’s capability to sustain that speed over fars away is an effective liquid-cooling system established mainly internal. It’s a self-developed closed-loop liquid-cooling system adjusted from Honor’s smart device innovation. A pipeline covers core heat-generating parts, particularly joint motors, with 2 high-speed micro pumps with circulation rates approximately 6 liters per minute of water blood circulation.
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A close up of Honor’s Robot Phone.
(Image credit: Honor)
Honor has a long history of integrating compact electronic cameras, sensing units and expert system (AI) chips into electronic devices, although these advancements have actually been concentrated on the business’s smart devices. The bridge to humanoid robotics is most obvious in another innovation Honor debuted at MWC: the Robot Phone.
The Robot Phone integrates embodied AI interaction with robotic movement and cinematic imaging abilities. It has a pop-up cam that acts as the gadget’s “head,” and it can bop along to music, track movement, and recognize noises.
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The D1 that contended in Beijing is geared up with self-governing understanding and navigation, in addition to an internal high-dynamic movement system. Business agents stated in a declaration that it’s capable of offering real-time interactive feedback throughout movement. This capability is boosted by light strips and signature gestures, and Honor plans to release it for occasions such as city night runs and street sports.
By contrast, the robotic that Honor debuted at MWC is placed more as an assistant. Honor agents stated that the robotic can serve numerous daily assistance functions, like assisting with shopping or office examinations, or in a more basic function as a “supportive companion.”
In context
April has actually been a shocking month for breaking world records in marathon running. The success of the D1 humanoid robotic in the half-marathon reveals us simply how far these devices have actually been available in such a brief area of time. We’re utilized to seeing viral clips of humanoid robotics fumbling around the home, not able to carry out standard tasks, the mechanical improvements are speeding up.
This task reveals that actuator power density has actually increased significantly to allow continual high-speed operation over numerous miles, consisting of thermal management systems capable of dealing with prolonged high-intensity activity.
It likewise shows that self-governing navigation is trustworthy enough for disorganized outside environments at running speeds which Honor might include battery energy density to support over 50 minutes of constant, maximum-power operation. With a three-times enhancement in conclusion time in between in 2015’s competitors and this year’s, we excitedly prepare for how these humanoid robotics get on in 2027.
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