In a groundbreaking event in Beijing, China, a half marathon took place where alongside 12,000 human runners, 21 humanoid robots also participated. This unique race, held at the E-Town technology center, marked the first time robots were challenged to cover the 13.1-mile distance, providing developers with valuable insights into the robots’ real-world performance.
The diverse group of robots, ranging in size from the 5 feet, 8 inches tall “Tiangong Ultra” to the under two and a half feet tall “Little Giant,” were required to navigate the course on two feet, mimicking human runners. Each robot had its own support team, equipped with control devices and spare parts, ensuring that even robots facing technical issues could continue the race with minimal interruptions.
As the race progressed, the robots encountered various obstacles, including turns, hills, and even railroad tracks, testing their agility and adaptability. Energy management emerged as a common challenge, with robots like Tiangong experiencing setbacks due to low battery levels. To combat overheating, support workers had to continuously cool the robots, exemplified by Little Giant emitting smoke from its head as temperatures rose.
Despite the difficulties, the first robot to cross the finish line was Tiangong, completing the race in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. Not focused on winning but on finishing, the race saw six robots successfully complete the marathon, showcasing the resilience and potential of humanoid robots in endurance events.
Among the notable finishers were two versions of the small robot N2, with one prioritizing speed and the other aiming to maximize battery life. Even when faced with challenges like falling and losing its head, a quick fix by support workers enabled one N2 robot to complete the race, highlighting the determination and problem-solving skills involved in robot racing.
Looking beyond the race, the event signified a significant step in the development of humanoid robots, providing developers with crucial data to enhance future models. With countries like China and the US heavily investing in artificial intelligence and robotics, such competitions serve as a platform to showcase technological advancements and foster healthy competition in the field.
