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Humanoid Robots Compete in Beijing Half-Marathon, Marking a Milestone in Robotics
BEIJING (Reuters) – In a groundbreaking event held on Saturday, twenty-one humanoid robots participated alongside thousands of human runners in the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing, showcasing their capabilities over a 21-kilometer (13-mile) course for the first time.
The robots, produced by various Chinese companies such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, came in diverse sizes, ranging from those under 120 cm (3.9 ft) to others towering at 1.8 m (5.9 ft). One manufacturer even presented a robot with human-like features, capable of smiling and winking, adding a touch of personality to the competition.
Preparations for the race involved extensive testing by several companies, underscoring the technical intricacies involved akin to the engineering and navigation seen in racing competitions.
He Sishu, a spectator who works in artificial intelligence, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “The robots are running very well, very stable… I feel I’m witnessing the evolution of robots and AI.”
The participants were closely monitored by human trainers, with some needing to provide physical support to their robotic counterparts throughout the race.
A few robots sported running shoes, with one even wearing boxing gloves, while another stood out with a red headband emblazoned with the phrase “Bound to Win” in Chinese.
The standout performer among the robots was Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, finishing the course in an impressive 2 hours and 40 minutes. In comparison, the fastest human runner completed the marathon in 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Funded partly by state-owned enterprises, the center also includes contributions from tech giant Xiaomi’s robotics division and UBTech, a leading player in the humanoid robot sector.
Tang Jian, the chief technology officer of the robotics center, explained that Tiangong Ultra’s success was due to its long legs and advanced algorithm that mimics human running patterns.
“I don’t want to boast, but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” Tang remarked, noting that the robot only required battery changes three times during the entire race.
Challenges Faced by Some Competitors
While Tiangong Ultra and a few other robots completed the race, several faced difficulties from the outset. One robot fell at the starting line and remained there for a few minutes before getting up to continue. Another made headlines by crashing into a railing shortly after it started, causing its human handler to stumble.
Although humanoid robots have participated in marathons across China in recent months, this event marked their first opportunity to compete directly against human runners.
The Chinese government hopes to spur growth in innovative industries like robotics to drive future economic expansion. However, some analysts remain skeptical about the significance of such events as a true measure of the robots’ industrial utility.
Alan Fern, a professor of computer science and robotics at Oregon State University, noted that contrary to claims from Chinese officials that the event indicates an AI breakthrough, the technology enabling humanoid robots to run has been around for over five years.
“Chinese companies have focused on showcasing agility through walking, running, and dancing,” Fern added. “While these demonstrations are interesting, they do not necessarily reflect practical applications or any form of basic intelligence.”
In response to such critiques, Tang emphasized, “Our future focus will involve developing industrial applications for humanoid robots so they can effectively integrate into factories, business environments, and eventually homes.”
Source
tech.yahoo.com