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Humanoids Hit the Pavement: Robots Compete in Beijing Half-Marathon
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Humanoid Robots Take On Beijing Half-Marathon, With Mixed Results
Beijing's Yizhuang Economic and Technological Development Zone hosted an unusual race this past Saturday: the city's annual half-marathon included, for the first time, a dedicated competition for humanoid robots running alongside their human counterparts over the full 21.0975-kilometer (13-mile) course.
Twenty-one teams, representing various Chinese manufacturers and research institutions, fielded their bipedal machines. The robots varied significantly in size, from under 120 cm to 1.8 meters tall, with some sporting custom running shoes, race bibs, and even decorative accessories like boxing gloves or headbands.
Tiangong Ultra Claims Victory
The standout performer was "Tiangong Ultra," developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center – a venture involving state-owned enterprises, Xiaomi, and UBTech. The 180 cm, 52 kg robot, clad in an orange race top, completed the course in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. While significantly slower than the human men's winner (who finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes), Tiangong's performance was deemed stable.
According to Tang Jian, the center's CTO, Tiangong's success relied on its long legs and a specialized algorithm designed to mimic human running gait. The robot reportedly required only three battery swaps during the race.
A Stumble for Some Contenders
While Tiangong crossed the finish line, the event highlighted the significant hurdles still facing humanoid locomotion. Several robots encountered difficulties. Unitree's G1 robot, known for it's spectacular demoes of it's agility, reportedly struggled to maintain a straight path from the start. Other competitors experienced more dramatic failures: one robot fell at the starting line, another collided with a railing shortly after starting, and a third reportedly broke down completely after needing manual adjustments with a rope.
Organizers implemented specific rules for the robotic racers, including staggered starts to prevent collisions and potential time penalties for battery replacements or using multiple robots in a relay format. The course itself included varied terrain with flat sections, slopes, and turns to test the robots' physical capabilities within a 3.5-hour time limit.
Demonstration or Milestone?
Chinese state media framed the event as a significant milestone showcasing the nation's progress in robotics, an industry Beijing is heavily investing in as a potential engine for economic growth. Spectators expressed fascination at witnessing the robots in action.
However, external experts offer a more measured perspective. Alan Fern, a professor of computer science and robotics at Oregon State University, noted that the fundamental software enabling robots to run has existed for over five years. He suggested that while impressive feats of agility like running and dancing garner attention, they don't necessarily translate directly to demonstrating utility for practical work or advanced intelligence.
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center itself acknowledges this, with CTO Tang Jian stating that a key future focus is adapting these robots for industrial applications in factories, businesses, and eventually homes.
The marathon, therefore, served as both a public demonstration of current capabilities and a stark reminder of the developmental path still ahead for truly autonomous and versatile humanoid robots.
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