In a groundbreaking fusion of technology and athleticism, Beijing on the Chinese mainland is set to host a historic half-marathon where humans and humanoid robots share the track. Scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. on April 19 in Yizhuang, more than 9,000 participants will tackle a 21.0975-kilometer course alongside nearly 20 advanced robot teams.
At the Beijing Smart eSports Competition Center, rigorous simulations and road tests are underway to prepare the robots for the real race conditions. These agile machines, moving at about 10 kilometers per hour, feature impressive innovations like hot-swappable battery systems and specially designed sports shoes that cushion each stride. It’s like a real-life cyborg sprint with a pit-stop twist! 🚀
The race route, designed by Liang Liang, Deputy Director of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, winds past iconic landmarks such as Nanhaizi Park, Wenbo Bridge, and Poplar Avenue. The course challenges both runners and robots with a mix of smooth asphalt, stone pavements, grassy fields, and gravel paths, celebrating a vibrant blend of nature, culture, and state-of-the-art technology. 🏃♂️🤖
Guo Yijie, Technical Director of the Tiangong Team, explained that the key to the robots’ performance lies in enhancing embodied intelligence, fine-tuning stability with precise environmental feedback, and refining their running gait using human motion data. These engineering breakthroughs mark a giant leap in human innovation and set the stage for a new era of collaboration between man and machine.
More than just a race, this event is a bold step into the future, transforming traditional athleticism into a dynamic showcase of technological prowess and creative ingenuity.
Reference(s):
Global First: Humans and Humanoid Robots Compete in a Revolutionary Half-Marathon
news.cn
