HONOR has been officially recognised by ASEAN Records for a landmark achievement in humanoid robotics after its self-developed HONOR Robotics D1 completed a 10-kilometre public road run before taking part in Malaysia’s National Day Parade the following day.
The company achieved the official record title:
First Humanoid Robot to Complete a 10-Kilometre Public Road Run and March in a National Day Parade
(open road course, 30 August 2026; Malaysia’s National Day Parade, 31 August 2026).
The recognition marks a significant demonstration of humanoid robotics operating beyond controlled environments, combining endurance, stability and sustained mobility across two major public events held during Malaysia’s Merdeka weekend.
From a 10-Kilometre Road Run to Malaysia’s National Parade
The record was completed across two consecutive days.
On 30 August 2026, the HONOR Robotics D1 made its first public appearance outside China at the Malaysia Marathon 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Starting from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the humanoid robot completed the event’s 10-kilometre open-road category on its own two legs.
The outdoor environment provided a practical test of the robot’s mobility, stability, battery endurance and ability to sustain movement across a real public road course rather than a controlled demonstration area.
Less than a day later, on 31 August 2026, the HONOR Robotics D1 joined Malaysia’s National Day Parade in Putrajaya, marching independently as part of the country’s Merdeka celebrations.
Together, the two appearances placed the humanoid robot in very different environments — first an endurance-focused road event and then a large-scale national ceremonial setting.
Malaysia Chosen for HONOR Robotics D1’s First Overseas Appearance
The milestone also carried international significance for HONOR, with Malaysia selected as the first overseas destination for the HONOR Robotics D1.
The appearance marked an important step in taking HONOR’s humanoid robotics technology beyond China and introducing it to an international public audience.
HONOR’s Robotics A1 also participated during the Merdeka weekend, joining the 5-kilometre category at Malaysia Marathon 2026. The robots’ presence brought emerging humanoid technology directly into public events where they could operate alongside participants rather than being displayed solely through exhibitions or staged demonstrations.
Malaysia’s role as the first international destination further reflects the importance of the market to HONOR as the company expands its technology ecosystem beyond conventional consumer electronics.
Demonstrating Humanoid Robotics in Real-World Conditions
Humanoid robotics is increasingly moving from research and testing environments towards practical situations requiring machines to navigate spaces designed primarily for people.
HONOR states that the Robotics D1 incorporates autonomous perception and navigation together with an in-house high-dynamic motion system, supporting high-speed movement, stability and terrain traversal.
Completing a public road run requires more than short-duration movement. The robot must maintain balance and mobility over an extended distance while operating under outdoor conditions.
Its subsequent participation in the National Day Parade demonstrated another form of real-world performance, requiring controlled movement within a major public event involving crowds, structured formations and ceremonial activity.
The ASEAN Records achievement therefore highlights not simply the distance travelled, but the transition of humanoid robotics into increasingly complex public environments.
Technology Meets Malaysia’s Merdeka Celebrations
The timing of the achievement added another dimension to the milestone.
The Malaysia Marathon took place on the eve of Malaysia’s 69th National Day, while the parade appearance on 31 August placed emerging robotics technology directly within one of the country’s most significant national celebrations.
HONOR’s participation represented its first involvement in Malaysia’s national-level Merdeka celebrations, connecting technological innovation with a major public occasion.
During the celebrations, HONOR Robotics A1 also interacted with Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, further highlighting the visibility of humanoid robotics during the weekend’s events.
ASEAN Records Recognition Presented in Putrajaya
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 31 August 2026 at the Merdeka Parade in Putrajaya, formally recognising HONOR’s achievement.
The recognition was received on stage by Ethan Chen, Deputy Country Director of HONOR Malaysia, representing the team behind HONOR’s humanoid robotics development and its first international public appearance.
Reflecting on the milestone, Chen highlighted Malaysia’s importance to HONOR and said the decision to introduce the company’s humanoid robot internationally in the country demonstrated its appreciation for the Malaysian market and its strategic significance. He added that HONOR intends to continue bringing new technologies to Malaysia as it develops its wider intelligent-device ecosystem.
Expanding Beyond Smartphones Into an AI Device Ecosystem
HONOR has increasingly positioned itself as a global AI device ecosystem company, with a portfolio spanning smartphones, PCs, tablets, wearables and emerging intelligent devices including humanoid robots.
The development of robotics represents a broader extension of this ecosystem, bringing together areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous perception, motion control and human-device interaction.
For the technology industry, humanoid robots are becoming an increasingly visible example of what is often described as embodied AI — intelligent systems capable of sensing and physically interacting with real-world environments.
Public demonstrations such as the Malaysia Marathon and National Day Parade provide an opportunity to test and showcase these capabilities outside laboratory conditions.
Looking Ahead
HONOR’s ASEAN Records recognition represents a milestone not only for the company but also for the growing visibility of advanced robotics within Southeast Asia.
By completing a 10-kilometre public road run and participating in a national parade across two consecutive days, the HONOR Robotics D1 demonstrated how humanoid machines are beginning to move beyond controlled demonstrations into real-world public environments.
Malaysia’s selection as the robot’s first overseas destination also places the country among the early international stages for HONOR’s expanding robotics ambitions.
As artificial intelligence and robotics continue to converge, developments such as these offer a glimpse into how humanoid systems could eventually operate across more complex environments and interact more naturally within spaces designed for people.
For HONOR, the milestone marks another step in its expansion from consumer devices towards a wider intelligent ecosystem — while its ASEAN Records achievement provides regional recognition of a moment when humanoid robotics moved from the technology showcase onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur and into Malaysia’s National Day celebrations.
Learn more about this: Official ASEAN Records Recognition
