We present the testbeam results of the first real-time embedded tracking system based on artificial retina algorithm. The tracking system prototype is capable of fast track reconstruction with a latency of the response below 1μs and track parameter resolutions that are comparable with the offline results. The artificial retina algorithm was implemented in hardware in a custom data acquisition board based on commercial FPGA. The system was tested successfully using a 180GeV/c proton beam at the CERN SPS with a maximum track rate of about 280kHz. Online track parameters were found in good agreement with offline results and with the simulated response. •First real-time tracking system based on artificial retina algorithm tested on beam.•Fast track reconstruction within one microsecond latency and offline like quality.•Fast tracking algorithm implemented in commercial FPGAs.