Robots have raced in opposition to people in a half-marathon for the primary time.
Some 21 humanoid robots raced alongside hundreds of runners across the 21km (13-mile) course in Beijing, China, on Saturday.
Among the robots that took half had been as brief as 3ft 9in, whereas others had been as tall as 5ft 9in.
They needed to resemble people and be capable of stroll or run – wheels weren’t allowed.
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A number of robots joined the race. Pics: Reuters
‘I do not wish to boast, however…’
The successful robotic was Tiangong Extremely, which crossed the ending line with a time of two hours and 40 minutes, whereas the lads’s winner of the race had a time of 1 hour and two minutes.
Tang Jian, chief expertise officer for the creator of the robotic, the Beijing Innovation Middle of Human Robotics, stated its efficiency was aided by lengthy legs and an algorithm permitting it to mimic how people run a marathon.
“I don’t want to boast, but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” he stated.
He added that the robotic’s battery was modified simply thrice through the race.
One robotic fell on the beginning line and lay on the bottom for a couple of minutes earlier than getting up and becoming a member of the race, whereas one other crashed right into a railing, inflicting its human operator to fall over.
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One robotic fell over. Pics: Reuters
The robots had been accompanied by human trainers, with some bodily supporting the machines through the race.
A number of of the robots wore trainers, with one donning boxing loves and one other carrying a purple headband saying “Bound to Win” in Chinese language.
China has dozens of robotic firms and whereas some produce humanoid robots, others create robotic canines.
Final yr China’s Individuals’s Liberation Military was proven utilizing robodogs firing weapons from their backs throughout coaching workouts.
