A Unitree G1 humanoid robot overheated and had to be carried down Mount Taishan on a stretcher during the inaugural CMG World Robot Mount Taishan Competition in Shandong Province, China, on November 2. The G1 development version, also used in China’s Spring Festival Gala, overheated during the race, and its operator had to withdraw it; event staff then placed the humanoid on a stretcher and carried it down the mountain. Unitree later suggested the robot may have entered the competition without proper tuning, sparking online debate about humanoid robot endurance and their ability to operate in demanding real-world environments. The course covered approximately 3.9 kilometers (2.4 miles), running from Hongmen to Zhongtianmen, with more than 3,100 steps and an elevation gain of around 600 meters (1,970 feet). The route required the humanoid to navigate uneven terrain and repeated stair climbs while maintaining balance. According to experts, such conditions place considerable demands on a humanoid robot’s mechanical and electronic systems, and thermal management is another important consideration during sustained operation. Unitree did not provide further technical details about the overheating incident or identify the specific component responsible for the temperature increase.