"Tiangong Ultra" Triumphs in First-Ever World Half Marathon for Humanoid Robots
Beijing hosted the first-ever half marathon for humanoid robots on Saturday, with the "Tiangong Ultra" emerging as the winner after finishing the 21.0975-kilometer course in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds. Twenty organizations took part...
TroibNews 
Beijing hosted the first-ever half marathon for humanoid robots on Saturday, with the "Tiangong Ultra" emerging as the winner after finishing the 21.0975-kilometer course in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.
Twenty organizations took part in the event, including national teams, private companies, and university research groups. The robots showcased a wide range of technologies and designs, from the impressive 180-centimeter-tall "Tiangong Ultra" to the more compact 75-centimeter-tall "Little Giant."
Human trainers accompanied the robots, some providing physical support during the race. The competition allowed for battery replacements and even robot swaps in a relay-style format.
The "Tiangong Ultra" crossed the finish line significantly after the men's race winner, who completed the course in one hour and two minutes.
"During the competition, we faced all sorts of challenging conditions – sharp turns, speed bumps, and potholes. So it's entirely normal for robots to experience technical glitches," said Xiong Youjun, team leader for the "Tiangong Ultra" Humanoid Robot. "Today, despite minor hiccups along the route, our robot ultimately performed admirably. Simply participating in this event and successfully completing a half-marathon is a heroic achievement in itself. I think every team delivered outstanding performances today. This marks the first time in human history that humanoid robots have attempted a half-marathon, which is already a historic milestone in technological evolution."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Twenty organizations took part in the event, including national teams, private companies, and university research groups. The robots showcased a wide range of technologies and designs, from the impressive 180-centimeter-tall "Tiangong Ultra" to the more compact 75-centimeter-tall "Little Giant."
Human trainers accompanied the robots, some providing physical support during the race. The competition allowed for battery replacements and even robot swaps in a relay-style format.
The "Tiangong Ultra" crossed the finish line significantly after the men's race winner, who completed the course in one hour and two minutes.
"During the competition, we faced all sorts of challenging conditions – sharp turns, speed bumps, and potholes. So it's entirely normal for robots to experience technical glitches," said Xiong Youjun, team leader for the "Tiangong Ultra" Humanoid Robot. "Today, despite minor hiccups along the route, our robot ultimately performed admirably. Simply participating in this event and successfully completing a half-marathon is a heroic achievement in itself. I think every team delivered outstanding performances today. This marks the first time in human history that humanoid robots have attempted a half-marathon, which is already a historic milestone in technological evolution."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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