Get ready to cheer for robots on the run! 🏃♂️🤖 For the first time ever, humanoid robots will be racing in a half marathon alongside human runners in Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area, known as “E-town,” on April 13.
A half marathon is a long-distance race that’s 21.0975 kilometers (that’s about 13.1 miles!). Imagine robots and humans starting together on this challenging course—how cool is that?
Six robot teams are gearing up for the big day. They did their first practice runs on March 28 to get ready for the challenge. The robots will have their own special lanes to run in, separated by barriers or green belts to keep everyone safe.
Just like cars need fuel, these robots need batteries to keep going. 🔋 Along the route, there will be seven aid stations where teams can swap out batteries and make adjustments. It’s kind of like a pit stop in a Formula 1 race!
During a practice test, one of the robots finished the course in about 2 hours and 52 minutes. That’s faster than some humans! But remember, many of these robots weren’t originally made for running long distances.
This marathon is super special because it lets scientists see how robots perform in the real world, not just in labs. They’re testing how the robots move, stay balanced, and use energy over a long distance.
According to Wang Guolin, the deputy head of the robot competition group, “This race helps us see how robots walk, keep their balance, and how good their control systems are. We hope this event will help the robot industry grow even more!”
Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be running next to a robot in your local race! Would you like to race against a robot? Let us know!
Reference(s):
China to host world's first half marathon for humanoid robots
cgtn.com
