Beijing, China — In a groundbreaking event marking a significant milestone in robotics and artificial intelligence, the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon is set to take place this Sunday in Beijing E-Town. The event will feature bipedal robots competing over a grueling 21-kilometer course, requiring them to execute approximately 250,000 precise joint movements.
This half-marathon is not just a test of speed but also of endurance and technical prowess. Participating teams must strategize on battery management and robot replacements. According to the newly defined competition rules, any robot that doesn’t change its batteries at designated supply stations will receive a time penalty. Similarly, completely replacing a robot during the race will also incur a penalty.
“The competition adopts a comprehensive timing method to calculate the final scores of participating teams,” said Wang Guolin, deputy head of the robot group of the half-marathon race. “This means the first robot to cross the finish line may not necessarily be ranked first in the final standings.”
The medals for the competition were unveiled on Wednesday, adding excitement to the upcoming event. Bipedal robots that complete the race within three and a half hours will be awarded these medals, celebrating their endurance and the technological advancements they represent.
This event signifies a leap forward in the development of embodied AI and humanoid robotics, showcasing China’s growing innovation in the field. It offers a glimpse into the future of robotics and their potential applications across various industries.
