A robot takes part in the humanoid robot half weekend marathon in Beijing. Dozens of humanoid robots took 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 world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon, with 20 robots running alongside thousands of human participants, was held in Beijing, a starting gun for China’s burgeoning robotics industry, according to executives and experts.