rewrite this title Humanoid Robots Race with Humans in China’s First Half Marathon – Metaverseplanet.net

In a world first, humanoid robots raced alongside humans during a half marathon held in Beijing, the capital of China. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in the intersection of sports and robotics technology.

The Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon brought together human athletes and robots for a 21.1-kilometer race. While thousands of runners competed on one side of the track, a parallel lane was designated for robots to run, ensuring safety and fairness.

20 Teams Participated in the Robot Marathon

Nearly 20 teams, including robotics companies, universities, research institutes, robot clubs, and tech enthusiasts, competed in the event with humanoid robots they had developed.

The race was won by a humanoid robot named “Tiangong Ultra”, created by the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center. Tiangong Ultra completed the half marathon in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.

The robot runs using an algorithm that mimics human movement, and was developed in collaboration with two state-owned enterprises, Xiaomi’s subsidiary 1810.HK, and UBTech, a private Chinese company.

Human-Like Movement vs Maximum Speed

The runner-up and third-place robots were different versions of the “N2” humanoid model, developed by Noetix Robotics. According to Noetix engineer Cui Wenhuo, one robot was programmed to imitate human gait, while the other was designed for maximum speed. Both completed the race successfully.

Cui emphasized the complexity of robot science, which includes structure, perception, and algorithms. He added that their robots were designed to be trainable for future use cases, aiming to contribute to the advancement of the robotics field.

Falling Robots and Technical Challenges

Not all robots performed well. Some struggled at the starting line, with one robot falling face-first and unable to get up for a long time. Another robot veered off course shortly after starting and crashed into a barrier, causing its handler to fall.

Throughout the race, many robots lost balance, stumbled, or fell, even if they completed the marathon. Engineers followed them in golf carts, providing quick assistance when needed.

“The Human-Robot Synergy Will Never End”

The Chinese government sees humanoid robots as one of the key technologies that will shape the future alongside artificial intelligence.

The marathon was held in Beijing E-Town, a special administrative area focused on advanced technologies. Officials believe that encouraging companies to develop marathon-capable robots helps enhance technical maturity and raise industry standards.

Experts predict that developing robots that can withstand real-world physical challenges will have transformative applications in areas like disaster rescue, hazardous waste cleanup, smart manufacturing, and elderly care.

In the official event guide, Li Quen, Deputy Director of the Beijing E-Town Administrative Committee, stated:

“Regardless of their finish time or position, the footprints these robots leave at the finish line are more valuable than medals. The 21 kilometers may end, but our quest for human-robot synergy will never end.”

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