David Bridges
The city of Beijing recently hosted an unprecedented event, dubbed the world’s first half-marathon for robots, where bipedal robots were given the unique opportunity to race alongside human runners. As expected, the event was filled with amusing moments and unexpected challenges. Most of the competing robots, which had human operators accompanying them, struggled significantly to navigate the course, let alone finish the full 13 miles within the strict four-hour time limit. Reports indicated that one robot stumbled right at the starting line, while another surprisingly lost its head mid-race, and yet another fell apart entirely. Although these robotic racers may not be ready for the Olympics, the footage captured from the event is undeniably entertaining and has gone viral.
As reported by Bloomberg, a total of 21 robots entered the race, but only a select few managed to cross the finish line within the allotted time. The standout performer was the X Humanoid model known as Tiangong Ultra, measuring five-foot-ten, which was among just four robots to complete the race. Its finishing time of two hours and 40 minutes was notably more than double that of the fastest human competitors. This highlights the current limitations of robotic technology in endurance events.
Teams participating in the race were permitted to conduct battery swaps during the event, with Tiangong Ultra reportedly finishing on its third battery. They could also substitute their robots mid-race, although this option came with associated time penalties. In addition to Tiangong Ultra, other robotic contenders included Noetix Robotics’ N2, a robot inspired by Gundam, a “female-looking” robot named Huan Huan, and the 30-inch-tall Little Giant robot, crafted by local college students. Interestingly, many of these robots were outfitted with human running shoes, further adding to the unique spectacle of the event.
Daniel Mercer
