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Running is a fundamental human skill, but when a robot runs, it’s a big deal, and when it does it doing something you’ve probably never done, then it’s cause for fascination, even celebration.

This week we have the spectacle of a Unitree G1 robot chasing a group of wild boars through the nighttime streets of Poland. In the short, now viral clip, the G1 turns a corner, appears to spot the animals, then takes off after them as the confused and/or terrified wild boars run away. The chase is short and as the boars flee into the woods, the Unitree G1 stops and sadly says goodbye.

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Yet we have a strange and growing fascination with humanoid racing robots, ones that can do more than wander from room to room but are ready to launch into a high-speed chase.

Perhaps you’ve already heard about the humanoid half marathon taking place next week in Beijing, China. I have confirmation that Unitree G1 will take part in the 13.1 mile race alongside hundreds of other robots from 70 teams. This is the second race of this type, and I remember very well the comical bits of that first half-marathon in which the robots went off the road and crashed into each other.

Many clips I’ve seen before this race show the robots running at shocking speeds of up to 4.6 mph. Sure, humans can run almost double that speed in a marathon, but for humanoid robots, that’s progress.

It’s wild there

However, I’m not sure what all this running, chasing, and racing means.

If you think about how many times you have to run, I’m sure it’s like taking a train and trying to keep your toddler from knocking over that vase. The last time I went out like that, I bumped into a bed frame and broke my toe. I generally try not to run where a brisk walk will do.

The majority of home robots from companies like Neo, Figure AI, and Tesla Optimus are never shown operating. They all move slowly and carefully from room to room and carry out most of their caring actions at home with the same slow, methodical care.

On the other hand, robots in nature are invariably put into action mode. They hunt wild boars or fight each other (and sometimes people).

At CES 2026, I saw groups of Unitree G1 robots boxed, and earlier this year, they shocked the world with dance and kung fu choreography at China’s Spring Festival Gala. But this, like so many other humanoid activities, is either deeply trained or controlled remotely. At CES, the G1 I shook hands with was remote controlled.

Half of the Humnoid Half-marathon robots will be autonomous, while the others will be remotely controlled, like the CES Unitree G1. If I were a betting man, I’d bet on the latter to win. Autonomy won’t get you far if half the robots don’t have the same type of consciousness and self-determination. The G1 and other robots will certainly experience their share of accidents (and each other).

Despite this, everyone wants to see a robot work. Maybe they’re thinking of something beyond the home or even the factory (where I bet running is frowned upon).

More and more, robots are being asked to go to war. This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proclaimed: “The future is here!” as he announced that a small army made up entirely of robots had captured a position. Now, I don’t know if any of the robots made it through this battlefield, but I’m sure any robot that can run and cross difficult terrain in this situation is useful.

This is of course an extreme case. In the meantime, we’re left with bizarre videos of robots chasing animals and rushing around racetracks to try to beat their human competitors.

Our interest runs counter to all of our deep-seated fears about a robot uprising. After all, they will run towards us and chase us. Why do we want to see something that looks like this?

I also hope these wild boars are doing well.

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A 38-year industry veteran and award-winning journalist, Lance has been covering technology since PCs were the size of suitcases and “online” meant “waiting.” He is a former editor-in-chief of Lifewire, editor-in-chief of Mashable, and, before that, editor-in-chief of PCMag.com and senior vice president of content for Ziff Davis, Inc. He also wrote a popular weekly tech column for Medium called The Upgrade.

Lance Ulanoff makes frequent appearances on national, international and local news programs, including Live with Kelly and Mark, the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNBC, CNN and the BBC.