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More than 300 humanoid robots from 112 teams, including five international teams, participated in the half-marathon (21 km) for the second time in Beijing, China, on April 19. Compared with last year, the number of robots surged, as the 2025 edition recorded only 21 robots. Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot, crossed the finish line and took first place in the E-Town humanoid-robot half-marathon in Beijing on April 19, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
According to organizers, robots must complete the 21-km course across varied terrains such as slopes and parks designed to test operation and the level of technology in real-world conditions. Nearly 40% of robots this year can move autonomously on the course, rather than relying entirely on remote control as in the previous edition.
A representative from the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center said that Tiangong Ultra can operate fully autonomously, using sensor systems to identify and avoid obstacles, and simulate human gait through large-scale data training.
Huawei still dominates the Chinese smartphone market. Huawei Technologies captured the top position in China’s smartphone market in the first quarter with the highest share in five years, while Apple posted the strongest growth among the six leading manufacturers, despite global shortages of memory chips.
According to Counterpoint Research, Huawei held 20% of the market in Q1, the highest since Q4 2020. The report said government subsidies, including a 15% discount for devices under 6,000 yuan (about $880), along with promotions during the Spring Festival, supported this performance. It also noted Huawei’s reliance on domestic suppliers, which provides a cushion against rising global memory-chip prices.
Meta could cut 8,000 jobs. According to Reuters, Meta plans its first large-scale layoff this year on May 20, with more rounds to follow. The company will cut about 10% of its global workforce, equivalent to nearly 8,000 employees, in the initial round, with additional rounds planned in the second half of the year.
Although details about those cuts, including date and scale, have not been decided, executives may adjust their plans as they monitor developments in AI capabilities. Meta declined to comment on timing or scope of the planned cuts. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is pouring hundreds of billions into AI as he seeks to reshape the company’s internal operations around this technology, reflecting a broader trend among major American tech firms this year.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
