Humanoid robot turns shoe tester after half-marathon victory in China

The humanoid robot Tien Kung, developed by UBTech Robotics and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, has transitioned from athletic competitions to a novel role as a running shoe tester in China. After making headlines in April 2025 by completing a half-marathon in Beijing in 2 hours and 40 minutes, demonstrating endurance and human-like running capabilities, Tien Kung was recently employed at the Li-Ning Sports Science Research Center to evaluate running shoes. Equipped with sensors on its hips, knees, and ankles, the robot ran on a 3D force treadmill and a 200-meter indoor track to collect detailed biomechanical data on cushioning, rebound, and other performance metrics. This approach offers a level of consistency and precision unattainable with human athletes, potentially accelerating shoe design cycles and reducing costs. Tien Kung stands 1.7 meters tall and features advanced biomimetic design, including 20 degrees of freedom, lidar sensors, Nvidia Jetson Orin computing kits, and dexter