In Beijing, 12,000 runners are gearing up for a half-marathon, as many have earlier than. The one distinction this time is that their important opponents will likely be machines, quite than people, a information outlet experiences. The race, set for April, will see humanoid robots from greater than 20 corporations finishing the complete 21.1K race for the primary time.
A half-marathon for humanoid robots is scheduled for April in Beijing, presenting an intriguing take a look at of the swiftly advancing robotic applied sciences https://t.co/tBewmW6TCi pic.twitter.com/jchVrLD0r5
— China Xinhua Sci-Tech (@XHscitech) January 16, 2025
Beijing Financial-Technological Improvement Space (E-City) is organizing the occasion. Taking part robots should have a human-like look and be able to utilizing two legs for strolling or operating–no wheels are allowed. The machines, which will be remote-controlled or autonomous, additionally have to be between 0.5 and two metres in peak. Mid-run battery replacements are additionally permitted, as a consequence of anticipated battery life limitations.
The rostrum finishers–human or not–will likely be awarded prize cash.
In October, we noticed a humanoid robotic, Tiangong, racing the final 100m of the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing, and incomes a medal for its achievement. Per week later, a pair of quadruped robots made an look as pacesetters and cheerleaders on the Hangzhou Marathon in China, performing features similar to shaking arms, offering phrases of encouragement, taking part in music and performing backflips.
On the Beijing Yizhuang Half #Marathon on the morning of Nov. 10, the #Beijing humanoid #robotic “Tiangong” entered the racecourse and crossed the end line alongside the runners. #funinbeijing pic.twitter.com/DQM1zjxneK
— Beijing Day by day (@DailyBeijing) November 10, 2024
Machines developed by main robotics corporations, together with Tesla, Boston Dynamics and 1X, will likely be lining up in opposition to Tiangong at April’s E-City race, taking over the whole half-marathon distance for the primary time. The robots’ speeds reportedly vary from eight to 12 km/h. (A one-hour 30-minute half-marathon requires a velocity of 14.07 km/h.)
The growing prevalence of robots in China is a results of an growing older inhabitants and a surge in demand for machines to supply help and look after the aged. The necessity for automated machines in work environments additionally spiked as a consequence of a shrinking working inhabitants. The nation’s robotics trade is reportedly projected to achieve US$54.6 billion by 2030.