A Chinese humanoid robot has made global headlines after completing a remarkable three-day walk spanning more than 100 kilometres, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest distance ever covered by a humanoid machine. The AgiBot A2, standing 169 centimetres tall, began its journey from Suzhou on November 10 and arrived in Shanghai on November 13, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of physical artificial intelligence.
According to Guinness World Records, the robot travelled a certified 106.286 kilometres, navigating both highways and urban streets entirely on foot. The trek ended at Shanghai’s iconic Bund waterfront, where crowds watched the robot complete its unprecedented march. AgiBot, the Shanghai-based developer behind the project, said the A2 successfully handled varied terrain while adhering to traffic rules during the continuous walk.
Videos released by the company show the silver-and-black robot walking alongside cyclists and scooters, maintaining steady balance and pace. Footage from Shanghai’s Bund captures the A2 marching against the backdrop of the city’s skyline, demonstrating both endurance and navigational precision. Engineers monitoring the walk said the robot operated autonomously throughout the route.
The achievement comes as global interest in humanoid robotics accelerates. Leading tech firms are investing heavily in the sector, which analysts say could reshape labour markets and personal services. Morgan Stanley has projected that over a billion humanoid robots could be in use worldwide by 2050, underscoring the scale of the coming shift.
China has taken a central role in this expansion. The government has pushed domestic companies to innovate in humanoid systems, aiming to position the country as a global leader in robotics. In August, Beijing hosted the world’s first humanoid robot games, featuring more than 500 robot “athletes” competing in tasks ranging from basketball to speed cleaning. The event highlighted China’s ambition to showcase its advancements in robotics engineering.
AgiBot describes the A2 as a next-generation service robot equipped with advanced interaction features, including a chat interface, lip-reading technology and autonomous navigation. The company says the robot is designed for customer service, information assistance and other public-facing roles.
The world-record achievement not only reflects growing capabilities in humanoid mobility but also signals a broader shift toward robotics integration across industries. As countries race to develop machines capable of functioning in human environments, the AgiBot A2’s journey stands as a landmark demonstration of what the future may hold.
