On February 17, 2025, a new chapter in robotics began atop the steps of Haizi Wall Park in Beijing. There, China’s humanoid robot Tien Kung achieved what no other robot had managed before: it climbed 134 outdoor stairs, reaching the summit with remarkable balance and precision. This single act marked a transformative moment in our understanding of what machines can do among us, outside the controlled walls of a laboratory.
A Leap Forward in Mobility
Tien Kung is the creation of the National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center. Unlike earlier robots that relied on carefully pre-mapped 3D models and rigid movement patterns—which often faltered on the unpredictable surfaces of the real world—Tien Kung comes equipped with vision-based walking technology. This means it can see and respond to its surroundings in real-time, judging each step before making it, even when faced with stairs that differ in height by up to 35 centimeters.
No missteps. No tumbles. It moved with a purpose and a sureness more commonly seen in living beings. This showcases not only the power of its sensors and software, but also a profound engineering achievement: resilience and stability on challenging, uneven ground.
Robust and Versatile
Tien Kung does more than just walk. It can run at speeds up to 12 kilometers per hour and maintain its composure even while sprinting on snow or withstanding strong impacts. Such abilities are more than impressive numbers—they open the path for robots to work in places humans might hesitate to go, from remote mountain regions to slippery, hazardous environments.
Beyond the Laboratory
This breakthrough is vital. Humanoid robots today are mostly tested in safe indoor environments. But if they are to provide real help—such as during natural disasters, in search and rescue missions, or in tasks on rough terrain—they must move as confidently outdoors as they do inside. Tien Kung’s climb is a promise of progress toward that goal.
A Champion on the World Stage
Tien Kung Ultra, an advanced version of the same robot, recently reached another milestone. At the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon, held in Beijing, it took first place. The robot, standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 55 kilograms, ran the full 21.1 kilometers in just under 2 hours and 40 minutes. This achievement did not just test the robot’s speed—it required relentless endurance, adaptability, and control throughout a grueling race.
Behind these successes stands the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, also known as X-Humanoid. Their vision is starting to take shape: an entire platform—Hui Si Kai Wu—that may soon serve as a universal operating system for humanoid robots everywhere. Just as Android opened the door for countless applications on smartphones, Hui Si Kai Wu is intended to let robots master an enormous variety of real-world tasks, from industrial sorting to delicate manipulations. It’s a true leap toward intelligent, helpful machines that can work, move, and learn in our world.
China’s Rising Leadership
The accomplishments of Tien Kung signal a growing strength in China’s push for embodied artificial intelligence and advanced robotics. Each new record—whether it is climbing outdoor stairs or completing a half-marathon—moves us closer to practical uses of humanoid robots in rescue operations, exploration, and daily service roles.
These moments go beyond the thrill of seeing a machine perform once-unthinkable tasks. They represent hope and opportunity: the potential for robots to extend human reach into places too dangerous, remote, or demanding for us alone. As Tien Kung stands atop long outdoor steps or pushes through the miles of a marathon, it confirms the promise of a future woven more closely together with intelligent, mobile machines—guiding, supporting, and working alongside us.
Leave a Reply