When Robots Run: The Invisible Technology Behind Their Steps

On April 19, 2025, in Beijing's Yizhuang district, the world witnessed a groundbreaking event: the first-ever humanoid robot half-marathon. As 21 robots from over 20 countries lined up alongside more than 12,000 human runners, a new benchmark was set for robotic mobility, autonomy, and endurance. But while the crowd marveled at their mechanical strides, few realized the invisible heartbeat behind every coordinated step—the crystal oscillator.

Event Highlights

Historic Milestone
This was the world’s first marathon-style competition where humanoid robots raced side-by-side with human runners. Participating teams from Asia, Europe, and North America deployed robots equipped with sophisticated motion control systems and AI-powered navigation.

Outstanding Performance

The “Tiangong Ultra” robot finished first with a time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, setting an unofficial world record. Several other robots completed the race within three hours, while a few withdrew due to balance issues on turns—highlighting the real-world endurance challenges faced by mobile robotics.

The Critical Role of Crystal Oscillators in Robotics

•  Precision Timing for Motion Control

As the master clock within robotic systems, crystal oscillators provide jitter-free, stable pulse signals that synchronize servo motors and actuators across multiple joints. Even millisecond-level timing drift can result in unstable gaits or loss of balance on complex terrain.

• Stable Sampling for Sensor Modules

High-frequency sensors such as IMUs, LiDARs, and camera modules rely on oscillator-generated timing signals for data timestamping. Maintaining a sampling rate of 100 Hz or higher is crucial for real-time balance correction and obstacle avoidance.

• Reliable Communication Channels

Robotic systems equipped with onboard Wi-Fi and 5G modules utilize temperature-compensated crystal oscillators (TCXOs) to maintain stable carrier frequencies across a wide temperature range (–40 °C to +85 °C). This ensures robust, packet-loss-free communication between the robot and its control hub.

Jingguanghua Electronics’ Specialized Frequency Solutions

With over a decade of expertise in frequency control, Jingguanghua Electronics provides application-specific crystal oscillators tailored for robotics:

• High-Stability TCXOs

Operate reliably between –40 °C and +85 °C, with frequency stability within ±0.5 ppm, ensuring consistent performance under temperature fluctuations.

• Ultra-Low Phase Noise Design

  Offering phase noise as low as –140 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz, our oscillators minimize timing jitter—critical for smooth motor control and precise sensor data fusion

• Enhanced Anti-Vibration Packaging

All units pass rigorous 20 g shock and vibration testing. Reinforced packaging ensures durability in high-impact environments like dynamic movement and sudden shifts.

Looking Ahead

The Beijing humanoid robot marathon on April 19 not only demonstrated the potential of human–machine collaboration but also highlighted the foundational role of crystal oscillators in robotic performance. As robotic systems continue to evolve to meet more demanding real-world applications, Jingguanghua Electronics remains committed to advancing frequency control technology—keeping the most sophisticated machines in the world running with unwavering precision.