Most Humanoid Robots Fail to Finish Half Marathon in Beijing

a year ago

12,000 human athletes and 21 humanoid robots participated in a half-marathon in Beijing, marking the first time humans and bipedal robots ran in the same race.
Only six robots finished the race, with the fastest, Tiangong Ultra, completing it in 2 hours and 40 minutes after multiple battery changes and a fall.
Robotics expert Alan Fern notes that humanoid robots are designed for task completion in diverse environments, not speed, and highlights hardware robustness as a key achievement.
The race exposed limitations in China's humanoid robot industry, with most robots overheating, falling, or requiring frequent replacements.
Robots like Tiangong Ultra and N2 stood out for their consistent pace, while others, like Huanhuan and Shennong, performed poorly or malfunctioned.
Human operators played a crucial role, guiding robots, changing batteries, and using duct tape for repairs during the race.
The event showcased design flaws more than capabilities, but still highlighted progress in bipedal robot hardware.

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