Tiangong puts humanoid robots to work
Originally posted on LinkedIn, May 24, 2025.
Tiangong, a new humanoid robot from China, ran a 21 km half marathon in 2:40 hours. It also sorts goods in warehouses, assists hospital teams, and performs household maintenance tasks without getting tired.
At 1.63 meters tall and 43 kg, Tiangong was built to work, not just to impress. During a demonstration in Beijing, it completed those tasks and maintained a constant running speed of 6 km/h.
Its AI system enables natural movement and real-time responses. The hardware includes powerful processors, motion sensors, visual perception units, 3D vision sensors, and a precise inertial measurement unit, allowing it to understand its surroundings and perform complex tasks. Six-axis force sensors provide detailed feedback for precise interaction with the environment.
China has made humanoid robotics a strategic priority. Its national plan calls for mass production of humanoid robots by 2025 and independent thinking and learning capabilities by 2027, putting the broader goal of autonomous robots before the end of the decade within reach.
Humanoid robots becoming practical workers and improving daily life over the next decade now looks more realistic than ever.
