"At large events like marathons, robots can perform a variety of tasks," Jiang Hanya, an industry insider at a tech company based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday.

For example, quadruped and humanoid robots, similar to "pace bunnies," can assist pacers, especially in long-distance races like marathons. These robots can maintain steady speeds, helping runners control their pace while providing real-time data feedback on factors like heart rate, temperature, and air quality.