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In a groundbreaking event that felt like a scene from a sci-fi movie, Beijing hosted the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon on Saturday. Nearly 20 robotics firms entered their robotic athletes, running alongside over 9,000 human participants on the 21.0975-kilometer course.
Leading the pack was Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. It crossed the finish line in an impressive 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds, securing first place among the robotic contenders.
According to Ren Yawei of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong Ultra only needed to swap batteries three times during the race. “This achievement showcases the advancements in our robotic technology and energy efficiency,” Ren stated.
Coming in second was N2, a compact humanoid robot created by startup Noetix. The third-place finisher was Xingzhe-2 from the Shanghai-based company DroidUp. These robots demonstrated remarkable endurance and coordination throughout the race.
The event wasn’t just a race; it was a glimpse into the future of robotics and human interaction. Spectators watched in awe as robots and humans shared the same course, breaking barriers and sparking imagination about what’s possible.
As we stand on the brink of a new era in technology, events like this half-marathon remind us of the incredible potential for collaboration between humans and machines. Who knows? The next time you lace up your running shoes, you might be pacing alongside a robot.
