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Robots lose against humans in half marathon

Robots lose against humans in half marathon

Yahoo19-04-2025

Robot Tiangong Ultra finished a half-marathon in 2 hours 40 minutes on Saturday in Beijing at the E-town Humanoid Robot Half Marathon. But it was no match for the fastest human finish of 1 hour, 11 minutes, 7 seconds.
The world's first human and humanoid robot half-marathon (21 kilometers or about 13 miles) included 21 bipedal robots racing alongside 10,000 humans.
The robots from Chinese manufacturers, such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, came in a variety of shapes and sizes, some shorter than 120 centimeters (3.9 feet), others as tall as 1.8 meters. One company boasted that its robot looked almost human, with feminine features and the ability to wink and smile. There was no comment on how that would help the robot run faster in the race.
Engineers operating the robots could make adjustments at aid stations. While the human racers had water and snacks along the way, the robots were treated to batteries and technical tools.
Organizers said the race was a technical demonstration, and no robot actually had a chance of winning.
It was part of a boost for AI and robots by the Chinese government, as Beijing tries to grow its technological strength against the United States.
China is trying to boost economic growth by increasing investment in AI and technology.
"Chinese companies have really focused on showing off walking, running, dancing, and other feats of agility. Generally, these are interesting demonstrations, but they don't demonstrate much regarding the utility of useful work or any type of basic intelligence," Alan Fern, professor of computer science, artificial intelligence and robotics at Oregon State University, told Reuters news agency.
China is hoping that investment in frontier industries like robotics can help create new engines of economic growth. Some analysts, though, question whether having robots enter marathons is a reliable indicator of their industrial potential.
Edited by: Sean Sinico

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Snakes
Snakes

National Geographic

time9 minutes ago

  • National Geographic

Snakes

There are over 3,000 types of snakes in the world. They have wide distribution, living everywhere except in Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and New Zealand. In the United States, snakes live in almost every state, except Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine. About 600 species are venomous. Of those, only about 200 can kill or significantly wound a human. Nonvenomous snakes, which range from harmless garter snakes to the not-so-harmless python, dispatch their victims by swallowing them alive or constricting them to death. Whether they kill by striking with venom or squeezing, nearly all snakes eat their food whole, in sometimes astoundingly large portions. Almost all snakes are covered in scales. As reptiles, they're cold blooded and must regulate their body temperature externally. Scales serve several purposes: They trap moisture in arid climates and reduce friction as the snake moves. Several species of snakes are mostly scaleless, but even those have scales on their bellies. Cultural significance of snakes Throughout history, snakes have been important symbols in cultures across the globe. In ancient Egypt, people often associated snakes with royalty. The goddess Wadjet was depicted as a snake. Pharaohs wore head gear and held scepters topped with a uraeus, or the upright form of an Egyptian cobra. Many East Asian cultures see snakes as symbols of immortality and renewal because they can shed their skin. The snake is also one of 12 animals that hold a spot on the Chinese zodiac and star in many folklore. Snakes are also familiar creatures in Native American folk tales and traditions. The Hopi and Cherokee see snakes as connections to the Underworld that deserve reverence and respect. How do snakes hunt? Snakes eat all sorts of animals, from small mammals and small fish to larger prey up to three times larger than the width of their head. They're able to swallow such large animals because their lower jaws unhinge from their upper jaws. Once in a snake's mouth, the prey is held in place by teeth that face inward, trapping it there. Snakes hunt by flicking their forked tongues in different directions to smell their surroundings. That lets them know when danger—or food—is nearby. Snakes have several other ways to detect a snack. Openings called pit holes in front of their eyes sense the heat given off by warm-blooded prey. Bones in their lower jaws pick up vibrations from rodents and other scurrying animals. (Snakes gang up to hunt prey—a first) Left: A green tree python (Morelia viridis) at the Riverside Zoo. Right: Speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Photographs by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark Behavior and reproduction About once a month snakes shed their skin, a process called ecdysis that makes room for growth and gets rid of parasites. They rub against a tree branch or other object, then slither out of their skin head first, leaving it discarded inside-out. Most snakes lay eggs, but some species—like sea snakes—give birth to living young. Very few snakes pay any attention to their eggs, with the exception of pythons, which incubate their eggs. (These are the rules of king cobra fight club—no venom allowed.) Here's a fact to make ophidiophobes feel uneasy: Five species of snakes can fly. Sea snakes Most snakes live on land, but there are about 70 species of snakes that live mostly among the coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. These family elapidae sea snakes and their cousins, kraits, are some of the most venomous snakes that exist. The yellow bellied sea snake is one of the most venomous. Most sea snakes pose little threat to humans because they're shy, gentle, and their fangs are too short to do much damage. What to do if you see a snake in the wild Experts say it's best to leave snakes alone and give them plenty of room. A rattlesnake (Crotalus) can lunge about two-thirds of its body weight. Most nonvenomous snakes will eventually glide out of the way. If a snake doesn't move, experts say to wait it out or just turn back. Do not attempt to handle it or touch it with a stick. Rattlesnakes don't always rattle their tails in warning, so it's important to be extra careful. (The key to protecting rattlesnakes from extinction? Clearing their name and reputation.) Conservation status There are nine IUCN Red List categories: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct. Roughly a hundred snake species are endangered, typically due to habitat loss from development. Of those endangered snakes, 17 percent are vipers. Pythons 101 From unbelievably flexible jaws to rows of razor sharp teeth, a range of impressive features make the python one of nature's most formidable predators. Learn about ball, burmese, reticulated, and other types of pythons, what the snakes eat, where they live, and how a surprising feature might be a sign of legged ancestors. What are the top 10 biggest snakes? The 10 biggest snakes in the world are the African rock python (Python sebae), amethystine python (Simalia amethistina), black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), boa constrictor, Burmese python (Python bivittatus), green anaconda (Eunectes murinus), Indian python (Python molurus), king brown (Pseudechis australis), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus). —BBC Science Focus Magazine What are the four most poisonous snakes? India has nearly 60 highly venomous snakes, including a few known as the 'Big Four.' They are the common krait, Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, and spectacled snake with the deadliest venom in the world is the western or inland taipan. These snakes live in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Taipan venom contains a mix of toxins that paralyze muscles, constrict breathing, and cause internal bleeding. —Wildlife S.O.S. and Britannica What will keep snakes away? There are many ways to deter snakes from entering your home or property. Discourage rodents by maintaining a tidy yard and patching any holes or cracks where animals can enter. Keep pet food stored indoors and consider fencing or concrete walls to provide a physical barrier to snakes. Most experts don't recommend chemical repellents, which can be ineffective and harmful to others. Experts also discourage inhumane deterrents such as glue traps and ceramic eggs in chicken coops. —Utah State University How dangerous are snakes? Of the 3,000 species of snakes in the world, only about 10 percent are venomous. Half of those have venom deadly enough to cause human fatalities. —Rainforest Trust This story originally published on January 25, 2019. It was updated on June 10, 2025.

Automaker reveals eye-popping images of unbelievably tiny next-gen model: 'A huge threat'
Automaker reveals eye-popping images of unbelievably tiny next-gen model: 'A huge threat'

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Automaker reveals eye-popping images of unbelievably tiny next-gen model: 'A huge threat'

Chinese manufacturer BYD is making waves in the ultra-compact "kei car" market. The company's foray is challenging Japanese automakers who traditionally dominated this space. BYD has been road-testing its first-ever mini EV, and it could lead to an industry shakeup, with the vehicle boasting affordability and city-friendly maneuverability. Images have started circulating on social media. Kei cars are a special class of tiny vehicles in Japan. Their legal size is less than 3.4 meters, or about 11 feet long. A small footprint allows efficient navigation in congested city streets. According to Electrek, kei cars accounted for roughly 40% of new vehicle sales in Japan last year. BYD's new mini EV — boxy and compact with sliding side doors — is expected to feature a 20 kilowatt-hour battery that can provide 112 miles of range. Leveraging in-house Blade LFP battery technology, BYD aims for a significant cost advantage. The car's anticipated starting price is around $18,000. BYD will compete with established models like the Nissan Sakura, Japan's best-selling EV last year. An affordable, electric kei car from a multinational player like BYD could expedite the adoption of electric vehicles. For consumers, this means more choice and lower prices for efficient city cars. EVs offer significant benefits in urban settings. Zero tailpipe pollution, for example, leads to cleaner air in crowded city areas. It also has quieter operation and lower running costs. Cheaper "fuel" (electricity) can also save some pennies, while fewer moving parts reduce the need for maintenance (no oil changes). Of course, battery production has an environmental impact, but there is reassurance. Studies show EVs become cleaner than gasoline cars over their lifespan. In fact, after 13,500 miles, a Tesla Model 3 has already become cleaner when compared to the lifetime emissions of a gas-powered Toyota Corolla sedan, according to Reuters. BYD's in-house production, including batteries, gives its customers competitively priced EVs. Their best-selling Seagull model in China starts under $10,000. Affordability, smart driving technology, and available charging infrastructure in the nation make their offerings more attractive as well. If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you? Cost Battery range Power and speed The way it looks Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. EV ownership cost savings can be increased when charging at home. Installing solar panels for home-generated solar power is cheaper than accessing energy from the grid. EnergySage offers a free service to easily compare quotes from vetted local solar installers, and the company can even provide savings of up to $10,000. The potential behind BYD's entry is not lost on competitors. As Nikkei reported, a Suzuki dealer commented, "Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan." BYD's EV technology and pricing could disrupt the established kei car market. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

Another Deadly Cancer That's Potentially Been Tamed By Globalization
Another Deadly Cancer That's Potentially Been Tamed By Globalization

Forbes

time33 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Another Deadly Cancer That's Potentially Been Tamed By Globalization

'In my 30 years of oncology, we haven't talked about curing myeloma.' Those are the words of University of North Carolina professor of cancer policy, Norman Sharpless, as reported in the New York Times. For those who don't know, multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that's long been known as incurable. Which raises a question: what would readers do if they received a multiple myeloma diagnosis? It's no reach to say that most of us would ask the doctor relaying the horrible news if there's any hope, any cure, or any possible cure anywhere. This would particularly be true with myeloma since the traditional path to death within a year of diagnosis is described by the Times as 'extremely painful.' Enter Legend Biotech, a Somerset, NJ biotechnology company. The Times reports that the immunotherapy developed there loomed as a 'last-ditch' option five years ago for close to 100 myeloma patients. The encouraging, beautiful news is that a third emerged from what was traditionally a death sentence alive and cancer free. To say that what's happening at Legend Biotech is an exciting development insults understatement. Finally, after all this time there's progress. And the progress exists as optimism that we're on the doorstep of many more remarkable leaps. Which requires another pause. Though Legend is based in Somerset, NJ, its origins are Chinese. It raises a question: would readers facing death refuse the treatments developed by Legend, or some other pharmaceutical corporation operating in China? One assumes the question answers itself. On matters of life and death, there's a natural tendency among humans to do whatever it takes to survive, particularly if they have children. It's just a comment that when death stares us in the face, no pause is required. We're wired to search far and wide for whatever will keep us upright. The main thing is that while Legend is now New Jersey-based, it still has operations in China. Good. The more that the world is economically integrated, the better off we all are. In other words, it's not a 'national security' threat when great leaps of the AI, financial, or pharmaceutical variety are hatched somewhere not the United States. Figure that if trading lanes are open, it's as though the world's greatest products, services and cures are all being created right next door. And when market goods are crossing borders without regard to country origin, war of the shooting and bombing kind becomes frightfully expensive. Looked at in tax terms, Legend's global footprint is hopefully a reminder to U.S. tax writers that when it comes to innovative developments meant to cure some of the worst diseases, it's extraordinarily mistaken to tax 'Made in America' more favorably than 'Made Around the World.' The more that U.S. pharmaceutical companies avail themselves of global talent, the much better that American drugs will be. And the more that tax policy is neutral as applied to U.S. corporations, the more easily they'll be able to acquire the best of the best globally. The simple, and ultimately life-saving truth is that productivity is an effect of cooperation across as many hands, machines, and machines that think as possible. Drugs aren't unique in this regard. The more specialized cooperation in the development of moon-shot style cures, the quicker the arrival at the cure. Sharpless went on to tell the Times that 'This is the first time we are really talking seriously about cures in one of the worst malignancies imaginable.' The brilliant fruits of tessellated talents at opposite sides of the world. It's just something to remember. Cliched though it may sound, there's no limit to progress when specialized genius is combined. Let's not allow tax writers to erect barriers to this collaboration solely because genius occasionally has a foreign address.

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