Bizarre history made as robots race humans in half-marathon for first time ever
Robots joined humans in the field at the Yizhuang half-marathon in an historic first.
A total of 21 humanoid robots competed alongside thousands of runners in Beijing, China on Saturday.
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Robots raced against humans for the first time at a half-marathon in ChinaCredit: Getty
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The humanoid robots competed in the Yizhuang half-marathon on SundayCredit: ReutersIt is the first time the robots have raced against human athletes after weeks of testing.
They had previously completed marathons alongside other runners in China, though.
The robots were built by Chinese firms DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, with their sizes varying between 1.2m and 1.8m.
Spectators have compared their involvement to motor racing due to the need for engineering during races.
READ MORE IN SPORTMeanwhile, some robots were accompanied by human trainers as they navigated the course.
Onlooker He Sishu said: “The robots are running very well, very stable … I feel I’m witnessing the evolution of robots and AI.”
The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, finished with a time of two hours and 40 minutes.
As for the men’s race, the winner crossed the line in less than half that time, clocking their victory at one hour and two minutes.
Tiangong Ultra was entered into the race by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics.
Chief technology officer Tang Jian explained: “I don’t want to boast but no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements.”
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The winning robot crossed the line in two hours and 40 minutesCredit: GettyLong legs and the robot’s algorithm were also credited with the win, with Tiangong Ultra needing just three battery changes during the race.
The algorithm used imitated the running motion of humans to provide a boost to the robot’s chances.
However, some robots struggled with the intensity of the race.
Footage from the start line showed one robot falling immediately after the event began.
It lay flat on the floor for several minutes before getting back up and continuing.
Another also crashed into a railing a few metres into the course, causing their human operator to fall over.
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