While Zhu Xiaohu's cautious outlook on humanoid robots lingers, it hasn't deterred enthusiasts from pushing the boundaries of this technology.

As marathons unfold across major cities, a unique half marathon featuring humanoid robots has also gained momentum.

Reports indicate that the world's first humanoid robot half marathon—the 2025 Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Marathon—has kicked off in Beijing.

Viewing the released videos of the humanoid robot marathon, it's evident that, as Zhu Xiaohu noted, these robots still have a significant journey ahead before they can be deemed truly mature and commercially viable.

Whether it's a robot falling apart or stumbling during the race, it's clear that current humanoid robots are far from reaching a stage of true maturity.

However, it would be overly simplistic and premature to dismiss the significance of the humanoid robot marathon or to harbor pessimistic views towards humanoid robots based solely on these initial observations.

The humanoid robots participating in the marathon are not mere participants in a race; they are not actors playing a foolhardy role on stage. Rather, they represent toddlers taking their first tentative steps.

Although they may appear rudimentary and unrefined, there's no denying that humanoid robots signify the future direction of technological development.

From this perspective, the humanoid robots running the marathon serve as a novel way to introduce this technology to the public.

Following the Unitree robots' impressive performance during the Spring Festival Gala, this marathon has further enhanced people's understanding of the current state of humanoid robot development, bringing them closer to this fascinating technology.

New Evolution from 'Robot' to 'Humanoid Robot'

The humanoid robots running the marathon showcase the evolution and iteration of robotics.

Previously, our understanding of robots was primarily focused on their machine-like aspects, with sorting robots, inspection robots, and transportation robots all embodying this machinery essence.

In a sense, robots preceding humanoid robots were largely viewed as machines by the general public.

As humanoid robots began to emerge, especially when they exhibited a different kind of affinity compared to earlier robots, we started witnessing a new evolution from 'robot' to 'humanoid robot'.

If previous robots were seen as mere tools, humanoid robots represent more concrete existences.

As these concrete existences continue to develop and mature, we have reason to believe that they will inevitably permeate various aspects of human life in the future.

Therefore, when observing the humanoid robots running the marathon, we should not solely focus on their awkward moments on the track but also recognize the gradual maturity and improvement of the robot industry and its increasing integration into daily life.

With the expansion of application scenarios, the commercial value of humanoid robots is bound to further develop and enhance.

Whether it's the Unitree robots that captivated audiences during the Spring Festival Gala, the Skywalker robots that excelled in the marathon, or the Fourier robots, they all underscore that the humanoid robot industry is evolving beyond what we once knew, promising greater commercial success in the future.

New Evolution from 'Laboratory' to 'Marathon'

In the past, when discussing humanoid robots, we often envisioned them confined to laboratories.

For both industry players and investors like Zhu Xiaohu, humanoid robots were predominantly associated with laboratory settings.

Generally speaking, something existing in a laboratory is often perceived as a prototype or a sample that hasn't yet reached practical application in real life.

Moreover, the perception of humanoid robots as laboratory creations often suggests that their development is not yet mature or perfect.

This is indeed a direct reflection of the technological immaturity of humanoid robots.

However, as humanoid robots began participating in marathons, especially when they started navigating complex environments outside the laboratory, it became evident that they are no longer limited to simple laboratory conditions but are capable of handling diverse situations on the marathon course.

The humanoid robots running marathons symbolize a significant evolution from being mere prototypes to realistic humanoid forms.

It can be said that these robots running marathons are the first step towards humanoid robots stepping out of laboratories and into everyday households.

As these marathon-running robots mature and become more sophisticated, we can anticipate seeing humanoid robots in a wider range of scenarios and industries in the future.

The transition from laboratory to marathon vividly illustrates and proves the evolution of humanoid robots from prototypes to humanoid forms, marking a new attempt by the industry to gradually move towards commercial scenarios.

Recognizing this, the humanoid robots running marathons are not merely awkward existences but pioneers embodying the spirit of 'taking the first step'.

New Evolution from 'Capital' to 'Business'

The humanoid robot sector has garnered significant attention and attracted numerous players due not only to the industry's overall development trend but also to the role of capital in fueling this growth.

One of the reasons Zhu Xiaohu previously expressed skepticism about the humanoid robot industry was due to capital investment institutions losing patience with the slow commercialization of these robots.

Ultimately, it was the sluggish pace of commercialization that led to a loss of patience among investors.

With the world's first humanoid robot half marathon underway, especially as humanoid robots truly begin participating in marathons, we need to look beyond the race itself. It signifies a shift in the driving force behind the development of the humanoid robot industry, transitioning from traditional capital-driven models to current business-oriented approaches.

The humanoid robots running the marathon are not merely robots; they represent a solid stride towards the commercialization of humanoid robot technology.

With these robots running the marathon, the commercialization of humanoid robots is poised to break new ground and open the floodgates for widespread adoption.

Once these floodgates open, the development of humanoid robots will no longer be primarily capital-driven, as it once was, but will shift to a model primarily fueled by commercialization and self-sustainability.

Final Thoughts

The humanoid robots running the marathon serve as a real-life introduction to this cutting-edge technology.

Their impact is akin to that of the Unitree robots that stole the show during the Spring Festival Gala.

For the humanoid robot industry, this seemingly awkward marathon is actually a tangible manifestation of the solid first step towards commercialization.

The humanoid robot industry needs such a marathon. It signifies that robots are no longer confined to traditional perceptions; they are no longer restricted to laboratories; they are no longer reliant solely on capital infusions for survival.

The humanoid robots running the marathon have taken the first step towards commercialization and bringing humanoid robots into everyday households.