In a groundbreaking event that blended athletics with advanced robotics, humanoid robots joined human runners in a half-marathon race held Saturday in Beijing, China. The unprecedented competition featured 20 teams of bipedal robots completing the challenging 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) course alongside their human counterparts.
The event organizers implemented special safety measures, including a physical barrier separating the robot and human running paths. While human participants followed standard marathon rules, the robot teams operated under modified guidelines that allowed for battery changes during designated pit stops.
Each robot team was supported by a dedicated crew of human navigators, operators, and engineers who helped guide their mechanical athletes through the course. The robots came in various designs and sizes, showcasing different approaches to bipedal movement and endurance.
The Tien Kung Team's entry, the Sky Project Ultra robot (also known as Tien Kung Ultra), emerged victorious in the robot division, completing the half-marathon in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. The competition also recognized excellence in specific categories, with awards presented for best endurance, superior gait design, and innovative form.
This pioneering event represents a remarkable advancement in robotics technology, demonstrating how far bipedal robot development has come. The successful integration of robots into a traditional sporting event opens new possibilities for future human-robot athletic competitions.