HONOR made the official overseas debut of its humanoid robots at the Malaysia Marathon 2026, the first time the company has showcased them outside China.
The D1 model completed the 10-kilometre category at the marathon in Kuala Lumpur on August 30, while the A1 took part in the 5-kilometre route alongside Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Malaysia was chosen as the first overseas destination for the programme, underscoring the country’s growing role as a platform for showcasing emerging technologies and its ambitions to position itself as a regional hub for robotics and automation.
The D1’s run offered a chance to test its mobility, stability and ability to handle varied terrain in a live sporting environment. It had previously taken part in the Beijing Yizhuang Humanoid Robot Half Marathon, finishing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds with a reported top speed of 14.5 metres per second, a pace that drew attention within the robotics industry at the time.
The Kuala Lumpur appearance was part of a wider run of public demonstrations; both robots were also scheduled to join Malaysia’s Merdeka celebrations in Putrajaya following the race, giving crowds a further chance to see the machines in action.
The debut reflects a broader shift toward testing humanoid robots in public, real-world settings rather than controlled labs. Placing the machines in a major sporting event let the company demonstrate their movement and endurance to a wider international audience — and signalled its intent to expand the robotics business beyond the Chinese market, with Southeast Asia emerging as an early testing ground for that push.
