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Robot Runners Compete in Beijing Half-Marathon
In a groundbreaking event merging robotics and athleticism, humanoid robots participated in a half-marathon race alongside human runners in Beijing, China. Twenty-one robots took to the 21-kilometer (13-mile) course on Saturday, marking the first time robots have directly competed against humans in this distance race. The Beijing half-marathon saw a diverse field of participants, both organic and machine, as humanoid robots demonstrated their running capabilities in a public setting.
Robots Take on 21km Challenge
The robotic entrants presented a range of sizes, from a compact 3 feet 9 inches to a taller 5 feet 9 inches. A key requirement for participation was a human-like form and the ability to ambulate via walking or running; wheeled locomotion was explicitly prohibited. This stipulation ensured the event highlighted bipedal robotic capabilities in a marathon race environment.
Race Highlights and Robot Performance
The fastest robot, named Tiangong Ultra, completed the course in an impressive two hours and 40 minutes. In comparison, the human male winner achieved a time of one hour and two minutes, demonstrating the current performance gap between human and robot runners in endurance events.
Tang Jian, the chief technology officer at the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, the robot’s creator, attributed Tiangong Ultra’s successful run to its long leg design and a sophisticated algorithm. This algorithm, he explained, enables the robot to mimic the biomechanics of human marathon running.
“I don’t want to boast, but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” Tang Jian stated, highlighting the perceived technological lead in robotic sports demonstrated by this China-based firm. He also noted the robot only required three battery changes throughout the duration of the half-marathon.
Challenges and Setbacks on the Course
Not all robots experienced flawless races. One machine malfunctioned at the starting line, falling and remaining prone for several minutes before recovering and rejoining the race. Separately, another robot collided with a railing, resulting in a fall for its accompanying human operator. These incidents highlighted the challenges of deploying complex robotic systems in dynamic, real-world conditions.
Human Support and Robot Customization
Each robot was accompanied by human trainers, some of whom provided physical assistance to their machines at various points during the race. Adding a touch of personality and flair to the event, many robots sported running shoes. Notably, one robot was equipped with boxing gloves, while another wore a red headband emblazoned with the Chinese phrase “Bound to Win.”
China’s Robotic Landscape
China is home to a burgeoning robotics industry, encompassing numerous companies that develop a diverse range of robots. While some firms focus on humanoid robots, others specialize in quadruped robots, sometimes referred to as robotic dogs.
Recent demonstrations have showcased the potential military applications of these quadruped robots. Last year, China‘s People’s Liberation Army was observed using robotic dogs equipped with weapon systems during training exercises, indicating the expanding capabilities and applications of China‘s robotic technology.
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