21 Humanoids Joined The Beijing Half Marathon Alongside Humans. Here Are The Results
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Humanoid robots, developed by Beijing Innovation Centre, joined runners in a Beijing half marathon, showcasing robotics advancements.
In a spectacle that turned heads and sparked curiousity over the world, humanoid robots joined thousands of runners in a half marathon in Beijing, China, offering a futuristic twist to the time-honoured test of endurance. While no formal contest pitted man against machine, the event highlighted just how far robotics has come, and how far it still has to go.
The scene unfolded on Saturday morning as 21 humanoid robots, each developed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics, lined up alongside human athletes to take on the 21-kilometre course. This wasn't a promotional gimmick; it was a test. The question at hand: can robots run like humans?
Organisers allowed the robotic entrants under strict conditions. The machines had to resemble humans in form, must be able to walk or run on two legs unaided, and, perhaps most importantly, could not be equipped with wheels or any other rolling mechanisms. The aim was clear: if robots were to run with humans, they had to be like humans, at least in movement.
Though the robotic runners weren't identical in build, their presence was hard to miss. Models varied widely in height, with the smallest measuring just under 4 feet (114 cm) and the tallest standing at nearly 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). Their synchronised, albeit mechanical, strides drew applause and awe from spectators lining the streets.
And while there was no direct competition between man and machine, results painted a revealing picture. The fastest human completed the race in an impressive 1 hour and 2 minutes. The top-performing robot, a model named Tiangong Ultra, crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 40 minutes, a respectable pace for a bipedal machine, but still well behind its flesh-and-blood counterparts.
According to the Global Times, many spectators cheered the machines with genuine enthusiasm, even helping guide a few that veered off course. After finishing the race, the robots calmly stood in the designated waiting area, showing no visible signs of exhaustion, though that's more a quirk of circuitry than stamina.
One robot suffered an early setback, tripping near the starting line and lying motionless for several minutes. Another collided with a roadside railing, momentarily halting its progress. These mishaps were reminders that while robotic technology is advancing rapidly, it's still learning to navigate the unpredictability of the real world.
Tang Jian, Chief Technology Officer of the company behind the robotic runners, claimed the performance marked a major milestone. 'Our robots are not only competitive in form but are designed with advanced gait algorithms and long-limbed designs, allowing for efficient human-like motion," he said. To ensure their endurance, each robot had its battery replaced three times throughout the race.
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