Are humanoid robots faster than actual humans? China finds out in first half-marathon race
ADVERTISEMENT
In one small step for robot-kind, almost two dozen humanoid robots ran alongside actual humans in a half-marathon in the Chinese capital on Saturday.
The bipedal robots of various makes and sizes navigated the 21.1-kilometre (13.1-mile) course supported by teams of human navigators, operators, and engineers, in what event organisers say was a first.
As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people.
A robot loses control at the start in what is billed as the world's first robot half marathon during the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 20
AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
But some of the robots struggled in the beginning. Media reported that one fell at the starting line and lay on the floor for a few minutes before getting up and taking off again.
Another robot crashed into a railing, causing its human operator to also fall over.
The robots were all different shapes and sizes.
Four legged robots perform before the award ceremony for the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
While flesh-and-blood participants followed conventional rules, the 20 teams fielding machines in the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon competed under tailored guidelines, which included battery swap pit stops.
The Sky Project Ultra robot, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, from the Tien Kung Team, claimed victory among the nonhumans, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds.
Spectators look at a robot after the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
The average half-marathon time for an average human is typically around 2 to 2.5 hours. But the humanoid robots were far behind professional runners. The half-marathon world record is held by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda with a time of 56.42, who set it this February.
Awards were also given out for best endurance, best gait design and most innovative form.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Sustainability Times
'Elon Musk Left in the Dust': China Crushes U.S. Dreams by Fixing the Fatal Flaw That Killed the Hyperloop Once and for All
IN A NUTSHELL 🚄 Chinese scientists have developed a solution to reduce turbulence in ultra-high-speed maglev trains, addressing track imperfections. in ultra-high-speed maglev trains, addressing track imperfections. 💡 The innovative system combines AI-powered suspension with electromagnetic actuators for a smoother ride. suspension with electromagnetic actuators for a smoother ride. 🌌 China's vision extends beyond transportation, aiming to leverage maglev technology for future space launches . . 🌍 The advancements could revolutionize global transportation, raising questions about international collaboration and scalability. In recent years, the race to achieve ultra-high-speed transportation has captured the imagination of scientists and engineers worldwide. Among the most ambitious projects is the development of the vacuum-tube maglev train, a concept that promises to revolutionize travel by reaching unparalleled speeds. China's latest advancements in this field have shown promising results, addressing some of the critical challenges that have hindered such projects in the past. This article delves into the groundbreaking work led by Chinese scientists to overcome these obstacles and the potential implications for the future of transportation. Addressing the Turbulence Challenge One of the primary challenges in developing high-speed maglev trains is managing turbulence and vibrations caused by track imperfections. Chinese scientists have recognized that even minor flaws in the track, such as uneven coils or bridge deformations, can lead to severe turbulence inside maglev pods. These vibrations could transform what should be a smooth ride into a jarring experience, particularly in the near-vacuum conditions required for high-speed travel. To tackle this issue, the research team has devised a solution that significantly reduces turbulence intensity. By employing advanced simulation techniques and conducting physical tests with scaled-down models, they discovered that turbulence could be cut nearly in half. This achievement is noteworthy, as it transforms 'extremely severe bumps' into experiences that are 'pronounced, but not unpleasant.' At the heart of this breakthrough is the meticulous study of track irregularities and the vertical bending of bridges. The team, led by Zhao Ming from the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, has made substantial progress in mitigating the resonance that occurs at speeds around 249 mph (400 km/h) and 373 mph (600 km/h). These efforts underscore the importance of addressing infrastructure imperfections to ensure passenger comfort and safety. 'China Finally Sells Record-Breaking Plane': This 130-Foot Giant Can Dump 26,000 Pounds of Water in One Jaw-Dropping Drop Innovative AI-Powered Suspension Systems The integration of artificial intelligence into maglev technology has opened new avenues for improving ride quality. The Chinese team has developed a hybrid suspension system that combines traditional passive air springs with cutting-edge electromagnetic actuators. These actuators are guided by AI, which employs two sophisticated strategies to minimize turbulence. The first strategy, known as 'sky-hook' damping, simulates an invisible stabilizer attached to the sky. This method uses real-time speed data to counteract low-frequency jolts, enhancing passenger comfort. The second strategy involves PID control, a well-established engineering principle that adjusts forces using proportional, integral, and derivative tuning methods. The team optimized this system using NSGA-II, a genetic algorithm that enables the AI to adapt to varying track conditions. Testing with a 1:10 scale model and six-axis motion simulators has yielded impressive results. Vertical vibration intensity was reduced by 45.6 percent, and Sperling Index scores remained comfortably below 2.5, even at high speeds. This achievement demonstrates that the ride is 'more pronounced but not unpleasant,' marking a significant leap forward in maglev technology. 'Old Rockets, New Threat': China Converts Aged Artillery Into Deadly Gliders Designed to Strike Fast-Moving Aerial Targets Beyond Transportation: China's Ambitious Vision China's commitment to advancing maglev technology extends beyond achieving faster travel. The nation views this innovation as a stepping stone to broader technological achievements, including cost-effective space launches. The Datong research facility embodies this vision, with engineers already making strides in developing airtight concrete tunnels and millimeter-precise track joints. While Elon Musk's Hyperloop project faced setbacks and ended its test track program in 2023, China remains undeterred. The Chinese team is optimistic that their hybrid suspension system, once tested at full scale, could revolutionize public transportation and reshape perceptions of high-speed travel. Despite the promising advancements, challenges persist. Scaling the suspension system for real-world use and ensuring its reliability during emergencies are crucial steps that lie ahead. Nevertheless, the progress made thus far demonstrates China's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in transportation technology. China Unleashes Next-Gen EREVs With Jaw-Dropping 870-Mile Range and Hesai LiDAR That Could Redefine Autonomous Driving Forever Charting the Future of High-Speed Travel As the world watches China's pioneering efforts in maglev technology, the implications for global transportation are profound. The potential to travel at speeds previously deemed unimaginable could redefine the way we connect cities and countries. However, achieving such a vision requires overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring passenger safety. The advancements in AI-controlled suspension systems and infrastructure optimization herald a new era in transportation innovation. Yet, questions remain about the scalability and viability of these technologies on a global scale. How will other nations respond to China's progress, and what role will international collaboration play in advancing high-speed travel technology? As we stand on the brink of a transportation revolution, one question lingers: can the world come together to realize the dream of safe, efficient, and ultra-fast travel that transcends boundaries and redefines the future of mobility? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (24)
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
China fans savage team again after latest World Cup flop
President Xi Jinping has said he wanted China to win the World Cup one day but the latest flop means they have only ever played there once, in 2002, when they failed to get a point or score a goal. The 1-0 defeat in Jakarta on Thursday left them rooted to the foot of Asian qualifying Group C with seven losses in nine games. They have conceded 20 goals. Football commentator Zhan Jun said Branko Ivankovic's men lost "due to lack of experience, lack of ability and poor handling of details". The Croatian coach's tactics were "not suitable for the team" and put too much pressure on defensive midfielder Wang Shangyuan, Zhan wrote on the Weibo social media site. Veteran pundit Ji Yuyang complained that Ivankovic's leadership had let the team down and that the coach was "not as good as several of his predecessors". "In their group the Chinese team lost the most games and conceded the most goals," Ji noted on Weibo. China's long-suffering fans vented online. One said that "these national players simply don't realise that the point of football is to kick the ball into the opponents' goal". "They only know how to stupidly chase the ball!" The national team has long been the butt of jokes and a target of derision in China both for its poor record and corruption in the sport. "The last time the national team made it to the World Cup, I was in year six of primary school," wrote another online. "We might be able to make it by the time my grandchildren are in sixth grade." Chinese people "have long been emotionally prepared to be eliminated (from the World Cup)," one supporter said on Weibo. The national team play again on Tuesday in the southwestern city of Chongqing in what is now a deadrubber against similarly eliminated Bahrain.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
China's World Cup hopes over with 1-0 Indonesia defeat
Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of Asian qualifying Group C with one game remaining. President Xi Jinping once said he wanted China to win the World Cup, but this defeat means they have still only been to the tournament once, in 2002. The result leaves Indonesia in the coveted fourth spot to remain alive in qualifying for next year's tournament in North America. A sell-out crowd of 76,000 at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium was sent into raptures after the Oxford United striker Romeny tucked away his spot-kick. The 45th-minute goal proved to be the winner after a VAR review when Ricky Kambuaya went down under minimal contact. It came at the perfect time for the hosts, just before the break, following a drab first half. Indonesia have 12 points with one game remaining, with teams finishing third and fourth going into a further round of qualifying for 2026. Now only Bahrain can catch them but they must beat Saudi Arabia at home later Thursday. As for China, they have won just two of their nine games in this round of Asian qualifying, losing seven. Indonesia, now coached by Dutch great Kluivert, are attempting to reach a first World Cup since independence in 1945. They dominated possession throughout and defended stoutly. China -- who won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Qingdao -- applied the pressure with their World Cup hopes fading. After the break Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero was forced into a mighty save to keep out Wang Yudong's low shot from the edge of the box. China's Brazilian-born midfielder Serginho flashed a ball across the six-yard box that only needed a touch, but failed to find a suitor. In between Chinese attacks, Indonesia kept finding space to create chances but were unable to convert. Indonesia right-back Kevin Diks found his way into the box but had a shot saved before blazing the rebound wide. But it was their night, both teams largely cancelling each other out, allowing Indonesia to claim victory and spark wild scenes at the full-time whistle.
