More than 300 humanoid robots will line up alongside human runners at a half-marathon in Beijing next month, as the capital steps up efforts to turn competitive events into a global platform for robotics innovation.

The 2026 Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, scheduled for April 19, is part of a flagship initiative aimed at offering companies and researchers opportunities for real-world testing and public demonstration, Liu Weiliang, spokesperson and deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said on Monday.

The event has attracted 76 institutions from 13 provincial-level regions, including more than 80 corporate teams and over 20 teams from universities and training camps. In all, 26 robot brands and more than 300 humanoid robots are expected to take part.

Liu said Beijing aims to turn events such as the robot half-marathon and the World Humanoid Robot Games into a global "launch platform" and "arena" for cutting-edge technologies, where companies and research institutions can compete, collaborate and accelerate innovation.

This year's race reflects the sector's rapid expansion. The number of participating teams has increased nearly fivefold compared with the inaugural event, while university involvement has surged, with 20 institutions taking part — 10 times more than last year, according to Liu.

About 38 percent of teams will deploy robots capable of autonomous navigation, marking a notable step forward in real-world mobility.

In last year's inaugural race, the winning robot completed the 21-kilometer course in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds. The event was also a major media success, with live broadcasts attracting 128 million viewers, highlighting public interest in robotics innovation, according to bureau data.

For industry insiders, the marathon is more than a spectacle — it is a demanding test of how far current technologies can go.

"Such events are not simply about speed, but about pushing robots to demonstrate stability, reliability and consistency under sustained and complex conditions," said Tang Jian, chief technology officer of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, at a recent training camp event.

In preparation for the race, the center has provided humanoid robot platforms and technical support to universities and corporate partners in a bid to accelerate collaboration and move innovations closer to real-world use.

Behind the race is a broader push to scale up the industry. Beijing has set up a government investment fund worth 100 billion yuan ($14.48 billion) to support future industries including humanoid robotics, while also encouraging private capital to flow into the sector. Since January 2025, 23 robotics companies in the city have secured a combined 19.24 billion yuan in financing, accounting for 41 percent of the national total in the field, Liu said.

Signs of that transition are already emerging. Humanoid robots, once largely confined to staged performances, are beginning to move into more practical roles.

"From large-scale coordinated appearances to retail solutions and lower-cost consumer models, the technology is gradually edging closer to everyday life," Liu said.

Contact the writers at zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn