In a thrilling debut, the world's first-ever humanoid robot half marathon kicked off in Beijing on Saturday. Among 20 organizations from national-level teams, private enterprises, and university research groups, the 180-cm tall "Tiangong Ultra" stole the spotlight by completing a 21.0975-km route in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds 🤖.
This event was not just about speed but innovation. Robots of different sizes—like the nimble 75-cm "Little Giant"—navigated sharp turns, speed bumps, and potholes while receiving vital support from human trainers who managed battery swaps and relay-style changes throughout the race.
Team leader Xiong Youjun noted, "During the competition, we faced all sorts of challenging conditions – so it's entirely normal for robots to experience technical glitches. Today, despite minor hiccups, our robot performed admirably. This historic debut proves that simply finishing a half marathon is a heroic achievement." Such breakthroughs mark a dynamic step forward in robotics, sparking conversations about the role of technology in everyday challenges 🚀.
Reference(s):
"Tiangong Ultra" wins world's first-ever humanoid robot half marathon
cgtn.com
