Humanoid Robot Quits Antarctic Race After 3 Kilometres
Qestr, a humanoid robot, ran alongside 25 human athletes before its battery failed in minus 24 degree Celsius conditions.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Robotics
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The humanoid robot Qestr joined 25 human runners in the Antarctic Ice Ultra race near Ultima Camp on November 8, 2026. It covered about 3 kilometres before its battery ran out and ended its attempt.
Why it matters
The race exposed how cold temperatures degrade lithium-ion batteries, which limits how long humanoid robots can operate in harsh environments. Running on snow and ice also forces robots to constantly adjust balance, adding further strain on available energy.
Qestr covered approximately 3 kilometres before its battery ran out at temperatures of minus 24 degrees Celsius. Cold slows the electrochemical reactions inside lithium-ion cells, raising internal resistance and cutting usable energy.
The players
Qestr
A humanoid robot that attempted the Antarctic Ice Ultra endurance race alongside human runners.
The details
Qestr, equipped with a specially designed thermal jacket, attempted to navigate the freezing course alongside human participants. Humanoid robots depend on batteries to power their motors, sensors and onboard computing, and the cold drained that supply within roughly 3 kilometres.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Qestr joins the Antarctic Ice Ultra race and quits after about 3 kilometres.
The Tech Race
The attempt highlights the battery constraints that current humanoid robot designs must overcome to operate outside controlled settings. It shows that cold-weather endurance remains a practical barrier for companies building robots meant for field work.
The result is a reminder that humanoid robots still face hard limits on battery life, which affects how long they can perform useful tasks before needing a recharge. Users and developers should treat cold-weather runtime claims with caution until tested in real conditions.
The takeaway
Battery capacity, not mechanical ability, was the limiting factor in this run. Any robot planned for cold outdoor work will need either better cold-tolerant batteries or a way to manage energy use more efficiently.
Further reading
For more on the machines behind this test, see our Robotics coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MoneyControl.
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