BEIJING (AP) — In one small step for robot-kind thousands of them, really 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-kilometer (13.1-mile) course supported by teams of human navigators, operators, and engineers, in what event organizers say was a first. As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people.
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.
Awards were also given out for best endurance, best gait design and most innovative form.
Tien Kung Ultra is awarded the gold medal after winning the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon
Humanoid robots run a half-marathon in China alongside humans
Charles R
They had to change the battery 3 times. They have a ways to go since 2:40 for a half marathon, compared to world class running humans doing a full marathon in less that 2:20 is our norm. But it is a start.