Robots race, play football, crash and collapse at China's ‘robot Olympics'
Robots competed in sports such as track and field and table tennis and tackled robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services.
Teams came from countries including the US, Germany and Brazil, with 192 representing universities and 88 from private enterprises such as China's Unitree and Fourier Intelligence. Competing teams used robots from Chinese manufacturers such as Booster Robotics.
"We come here to play and win, but we are also interested in research," said Max Polter, a member of the HTWK Robots football team from Germany, affiliated with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences.
"You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in the contest. If we try something and it doesn't work, we lose the game. That's sad but it is better than investing a lot of money into a product which failed."
At the robot games in Beijing, which charged 128 to 580 yuan (R313.19 to R1,419) for tickets, humanoids crashed into each other and toppled over repeatedly during football matches, while others collapsed mid-sprint during running events.
During one football match, four robots crashed into each other and fell in a tangled heap. In the 1,500m running event, one robot collapsed while running at full speed, drawing gasps and cheers from spectators.
Despite frequent tumbles requiring human assistance to help robots stand, many managed to right themselves independently, earning applause from audiences.
Organisers said the games provide valuable data collection opportunities for developing robots for practical applications such as factory work.
Football matches help train robots' coordination abilities, which could prove useful for assembly line operations requiring collaboration between many units, commentators said.
China is investing billions in humanoids and robotics as the country grapples with an ageing population and growing competition with the US over advanced technologies.
It has staged high-profile robotics events in recent months, including what it called the world's first humanoid robot marathon in Beijing, a robot conference and the opening of retail stores dedicated to humanoid robots.
Morgan Stanley analysts in a report last week noted a surge in attendance at a recent robot conference from the general public compared to years before, saying this showed "how China, not only top government officials, has embraced the concept of embodied intelligence".
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TimesLIVE
4 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Robots race, play football, crash and collapse at China's ‘robot Olympics'
China kicked off the three-day long World Humanoid Robot Games on Friday, looking to showcase its advances in artificial intelligence and robotics with 280 teams from 16 countries. Robots competed in sports such as track and field and table tennis and tackled robot-specific challenges from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services. Teams came from countries including the US, Germany and Brazil, with 192 representing universities and 88 from private enterprises such as China's Unitree and Fourier Intelligence. Competing teams used robots from Chinese manufacturers such as Booster Robotics. "We come here to play and win, but we are also interested in research," said Max Polter, a member of the HTWK Robots football team from Germany, affiliated with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences. "You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in the contest. If we try something and it doesn't work, we lose the game. That's sad but it is better than investing a lot of money into a product which failed." At the robot games in Beijing, which charged 128 to 580 yuan (R313.19 to R1,419) for tickets, humanoids crashed into each other and toppled over repeatedly during football matches, while others collapsed mid-sprint during running events. During one football match, four robots crashed into each other and fell in a tangled heap. In the 1,500m running event, one robot collapsed while running at full speed, drawing gasps and cheers from spectators. Despite frequent tumbles requiring human assistance to help robots stand, many managed to right themselves independently, earning applause from audiences. Organisers said the games provide valuable data collection opportunities for developing robots for practical applications such as factory work. Football matches help train robots' coordination abilities, which could prove useful for assembly line operations requiring collaboration between many units, commentators said. China is investing billions in humanoids and robotics as the country grapples with an ageing population and growing competition with the US over advanced technologies. It has staged high-profile robotics events in recent months, including what it called the world's first humanoid robot marathon in Beijing, a robot conference and the opening of retail stores dedicated to humanoid robots. Morgan Stanley analysts in a report last week noted a surge in attendance at a recent robot conference from the general public compared to years before, saying this showed "how China, not only top government officials, has embraced the concept of embodied intelligence".
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Cross Country attired Volvo EX30 aims for EV success off-road
First new Cross Country model in six years also becomes the first to be motivated by an electric powertrain rather than petrol or diesel. Volvo Car South Africa's unveiling of the EX30 Cross Country this week comes at a pivotal time for the Chinese-owned Swedish brand. Here to stay Besides forming part of a product roll-out comprising three models before the end of the year, and a further one in 2026, Gothenburg's future has been shrouded in uncertainty following well publicised reports earlier this year of its dealerships shutting down. ALSO READ: Cross Country trekking Volvo EX30 en-route to South Africa However, according to its newly appointed Managing Director, Grant Locke, an exit for the Geely-owned marque isn't on the drawing board anytime soon as per the imminent arrivals of the facelift XC60 and XC90, and next year, the all-electric ES90. 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Billed as an 'experience vehicle' instead of a light-duty off-roader as previous Cross Country or XC models, the EX30 will most remain a niche offering, but one unlikely to disappoint those prepare to take the leap with the range restrictions knowledge of EVs well-known and expected. Price Included in the EX30 Cross Country Twin Motor Performance Elite's R1 165 000 price tag is a five-year/100 000 km warranty, a three-year/60 000 km maintenance plan, an eight-year/160 000 km battery warranty and installation of a wallbox at the desired premises. NOW READ: Volvo EX30 a 'Swedish shopping trolley' ready to outgun supercars
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Heyball Pool player Jason Theron wins SA's 3rd medal at the World Games
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