In a groundbreaking event that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie, the world witnessed history in Beijing on Saturday. The first-ever humanoid robot half marathon turned heads as "Tiangong Ultra" crossed the finish line after 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds—covering a challenging 21.1 km route! 🤖🏃
Competing against 20 innovative organizations from national-level teams, private enterprises, and university research groups, the event showcased a range of robots from the towering 180-cm "Tiangong Ultra" to the compact 75-cm "Little Giant." Each robot brought its unique design and tech flair to the track.
Accompanied by human trainers who sometimes offered hands-on support, teams navigated sharp turns, speed bumps, and potholes along the rugged course. Some teams even swapped batteries or changed robots mid-race in a relay-style twist to overcome technical glitches.
Team leader Xiong Youjun shared his excitement: "During the competition, we faced all sorts of challenging conditions, and despite a few hiccups, our robot performed admirably. Simply participating in this historic event is a heroic achievement!"
This milestone not only highlights leaps in robotics technology but also inspires tech enthusiasts and innovators around the globe. As humanoid robots continue to evolve, the race toward a future full of endless possibilities is well underway! 🚀
Reference(s):
"Tiangong Ultra" wins world's first-ever humanoid robot half marathon
cgtn.com
