Latest news with #Economic-TechnologicalDevelopmentArea
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
China's humanoid robots designed to assist, not replace, human workers, says official
A Beijing official has revealed that China is rapidly developing humanoid robots that are intended to assist human workers and not replace them. As reported by Reuters, Liang Liang, deputy director of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, emphasised that these robots will boost productivity and take on hazardous tasks. Liang Liang clarified that humanoid robots will be used in areas such as deep-sea and space exploration, where humans cannot operate. "We don't believe robots will make people unemployed, but rather they'll boost efficiency or take on tasks humans are unwilling to do - like exploring the vast universe or the ocean depths where people can't go. Machines can assist us in that exploration," Liang told Reuters. The human robot collaboration To illustrate this vision, Beijing recently hosted the world's first robot half-marathon , where humanoid robots competed separately from human runners. The event was designed to showcase how robots can complement human efforts rather than replace them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like POROSI TANI +355677168901 | Koha nuk ka qenë kurrë kaq elegante. Reklame nga | Enzo Attini Undo The competition featured Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot developed by X-Humanoid, a state-backed robotics innovation center. The robot demonstrated advanced mobility, reaching speeds of 12 km/h, reinforcing China's commitment to developing adaptive and efficient robotic systems. Beyond sports, China's humanoid robots are being developed to handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks. Demonstrations at the robotics center showed robots successfully adapting to changing environments and human interference, a key capability for future workplace integration. As per Reuters report, Liang reiterated that China's approach to robotics is not about replacing human labor but about creating a future where machines and humans work together. As China continues to invest heavily in AI and robotics, the government's stance on human-robot collaboration will be crucial in shaping public perception and industry adoption.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China's humanoid robots will not replace human workers, Beijing official says
By Eduardo Baptista BEIJING (Reuters) -China's humanoid robots will not replace human workers and cause mass unemployment, according to a Chinese official who oversees a tech hub in Beijing, amid a rapid expansion of the sector and state funding for it. Liang Liang, a deputy director at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, which hosts one of China's largest tech hubs, said in an interview on Friday with foreign media that he does not believe that humanoid robots will replace their human creators, but will boost productivity and operate in hazardous environments. "We don't believe robots will make people unemployed, but rather they'll boost efficiency or take on tasks humans are unwilling to do - like exploring the vast universe or the ocean depths where people can't go. Machines can assist us in that exploration," Liang said. "When it's nighttime and humans need rest, machines could keep working, giving us better, cheaper, and more user-friendly products. So we see this as the direction for our future development," he added. Liang explained that the world's first robot half-marathon held last month in Beijing was deliberately set up in a way that would highlight his and other officials' hopes that these humanoids will support and assist humans, rather than replace them. The half-marathon featured two tracks separated by a railing, with humans competing against each other on one side while on the other side 20 teams each operated a robot, varying wildly in size and ability. "You see, in the marathon, humans have their track where they push their physical limits, and the machines have their own track where they jointly challenge their limits - but they aren't trying to take over the human course to sprint to the finish line. The future will be like this too," Liang said. Liang spoke to reporters at the headquarters of state-backed X-Humanoid, also known as the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Centre, whose robot Tiangong Ultra won the inaugural robot half-marathon. Besides the sports-focused Ultra model, which can reach a top speed of 12 kph (7.56 mph), the centre also displayed other protypes that showed it was working on robots that can complete mundane tasks in the face of obstructions and changing environments. In one demonstration, an employee repeatedly moved the position of a piece of litter or snatched it from the robot's hand, which would then relocate the object and carry out the task until it was completed, a self-corrective ability the centre says will be key in turning the humanoids into productive workers.
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Beijing to Host First Ever Half-Marathon Race Between Humanoid Robots and Humans
It seems robots are no longer content with just vacuuming our floors or assembling our cars—they're now literally on equal footing with humans. Well, bipedal footing, at least. In a groundbreaking event that sounds like it's straight out of a sci-fi movie, Beijing is set to host the first-ever long-distance running race between humanoid robots and humans this April. Get ready for a mix of huffing, puffing, and maybe even some mechanical creaking as these two-legged bots take on flesh-and-blood athletes in a 13-mile (approximately 21 kilometre) marathon. Organized by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town), the race will feature more than 12,000 human runners alongside a lineup of humanoid robots from tech firms, research institutions, and robot clubs worldwide. But don't expect any shortcuts—robots must adhere to strict rules. They must have a humanoid appearance, walk or run on two legs (no wheels allowed!), and stand between 19.7 inches and 78.7 inches tall. Oh, and their hip-to-foot extension must be at least 17.7 inches. Because, you know, fairness. One of the confirmed participants is Tiangong, a bipedal humanoid that's already made headlines. Last year, Tiangong joined the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, completing a modest 100 meters. While it wasn't exactly breaking speed records, its ability to finish the course earned it a symbolic medal. By April, Tiangong is expected to reach speeds of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour—a significant improvement that highlights the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in mimicking human-like movements. Here's how humans and robots stack up in the race: Category Humans Robots Speed Up to 13 mph (elite runners) Up to 6.2 mph (Tiangong) Endurance Can sustain long distances Improving but still limited Innovation Natural evolution Cutting-edge engineering Robots can be remote-controlled or fully autonomous, and teams are allowed to swap out batteries mid-race if needed. As for the humans, let's hope they're on their best behavior—no tripping the competition, no matter how tempting it might be to sabotage a bot threatening to leave them in the dust. This isn't the first time robots have hit the track in China. Last fall, Tiangong's appearance at the Yizhuang Half Marathon and quadruped robots serving as pacesetters at the Hangzhou Marathon showed that the idea of robots competing alongside humans is gaining traction. April's race is expected to draw significant attention as the world watches to see how far robotics has come. As advancements in humanoid robotics continue to accelerate, this event raises fascinating questions. Will robots one day surpass humans in physical endurance? Or will the unpredictability of human grit and determination keep us ahead? Either way, this race is more than just a competition—it's a glimpse into a future where humans and robots might coexist in ways we're only beginning to imagine. So, who's your money on: the humans or the humanoids?
