Gasgoo Munich- The world's first humanoid robot half-marathon concluded in Beijing on April 19.
The event drew over 100 teams and more than 300 robots from across the country. Participants included leading companies such as the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, HONOR, Unitree, and Noetix Robotics, alongside universities and research institutes like Tsinghua, Peking, and USTC. The competition also expanded its reach to include five international teams.
HONOR fielded 10 teams—six running the "Shan Dian (Shan Dian)" model and four the "Yuan Qi Zai (Yuan Qi Zai)." In the end, HONOR robots swept the top six spots. The "Shan Dian" robot from HONOR's "Monkey King" team took the crown with a net time of 50 minutes and 26 seconds, shattering the human half-marathon record of 56:42. The "Thunder Shan Dian" and "Spark" teams secured second and third place, respectively.
Image Credit: HONOR
Standing 169 centimeters tall, HONOR's "Shan Dian" humanoid robot features a trendy mecha-inspired design that balances aerodynamics with visual impact. Its core competitive edge lies in its speed and explosive power.
The competing models included both autonomous navigation and remote-operated versions. The autonomous variant is equipped with self-developed high-dynamic motion systems, offering self-perception and navigation capabilities. It boasts high-speed running and strong terrain adaptability, performing with stability and rapid responsiveness. With robust power and enduring battery life, the robot also interacts with humans in real-time through light strips and signature gestures.
Following HONOR's victory, the supply chain powering its robots is stepping into the spotlight. According to Gasgoo, companies including Hesai Technology, Lens Technology, LY iTECH, and AAC Technologies have provided support for HONOR's humanoid robots.
Hesai Technology supplied the JT128 LiDAR for the "Shan Dian" model.
Designed by Hesai specifically for robotics and industrial applications, the JT series is a mini ultra-hemispherical 3D LiDAR. It offers the widest field of view globally in a compact form factor, enabling 360° zero-blind-spot 3D perception—a key reason it has become the preferred choice for leading embodied AI robots. To date, cumulative deliveries of the Hesai JT series have surpassed 300,000 units, successfully powering a wide range of embodied AI products.
Lens Technology provided 132 types of core metal structural components for HONOR's robots, comprehensively covering key motion units such as the head, arms, hips, and legs.
Lens Technology and HONOR adopted a "joint development, synchronous verification" model to tackle industry challenges like high-degree-of-freedom joint structures. This collaboration provides a mature engineering path for embodied intelligence to move from the lab to consumer applications. As HONOR pushes toward its small-batch production plan for 2026, Lens Technology has already completed the necessary high-standard capacity preparations.
LY iTECH served as the supplier for 159 core structural components and surface treatments for the "Shan Dian," with its Dongguan Hengli factory already delivering products in bulk.
Targeting the embodied intelligence sector, LY iTECH has built a full-chain capability encompassing "core component self-development, precision structural manufacturing, and complete machine assembly services." It masters core technologies for the actuation layer of humanoid robots, including servo motors, reducers, drivers, and motion controllers. The company offers core hardware such as head assemblies, dexterous hand assemblies, limb assemblies, and high-power charging and thermal solutions, backed by mature experience in joint development and final assembly.
AAC Technologies crafted precision structural solutions for the HONOR's dual robots, helping both robots demonstrate their strength on the track—from flexible limb movement to steady, powerful strides.
In this collaboration, AAC Technologies worked closely with HONOR's R&D team. Through innovative material applications and high-precision processing, they achieved an extreme balance between "high rigidity" and "lightweighting," providing solid assurance for the "Shan Dian's" endurance over long distances.
For the "Yuan Qi Zai," which won the "Best Gait Control Award," AAC supplied key structural components for the core motion units in the head and legs. By optimizing weight and form, the company met stringent requirements for light weight and high strength while giving the "Yuan Qi Zai" a human-like appearance with a sense of "technological warmth."
AAC Technologies has established a complete humanoid robot solution covering "precision structure, dexterous joints, intelligent perception, and efficient heat dissipation." Leveraging its full-stack technology reserves in consumer electronics and smart vehicles, the company is committed to providing global robot partners with one-stop technical empowerment, from the "skeleton" to "perception."
Separately, ORBBEC previously revealed that HONOR's first embodied intelligent humanoid robot, set to debut at the 2026 Mobile World Congress (MWC), will feature the company's Gemini 330 series binocular 3D cameras.
The Gemini 330 series is designed specifically for full-scenario robotic vision applications. Equipped with the self-developed MX6800 depth engine chip and a high-performance active-passive fusion imaging system, it can stably output high-quality depth data indoors, outdoors, and under complex lighting conditions. This enables robots to achieve more reliable environmental perception and motion execution.
