Robots Race Humans in Marathon

Sunday, 20 April, 2025147 words2 minutes
In a groundbreaking event, more than 20 humanoid robots participated in the world's first robot half-marathon in China. The race, which took place in Beijing, saw these two-legged machines competing alongside 12,000 human runners over a challenging 21-kilometer course.
The robots, created by various companies and universities, showcased China's progress in humanoid technology. However, they were far from outpacing their human counterparts. The fastest robot, named Tiangong Ultra, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes, while the winning human finished in just 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Despite the significant time difference, the event highlighted the advancements in robotics. The robots faced several challenges, including slopes and turns. They were allowed battery changes and even substitutions, though with time penalties. Many required human assistance to prevent falls, demonstrating that while impressive, humanoid robots still have a long way to go in matching human athletic abilities.
Original News
Robots Race Humans in Marathon

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Words

  • groundbreaking
  • humanoid
  • outpacing
  • counterparts

Quiz

  1. 1. What was unique about this half-marathon?

  2. 2. How did the robots' performance compare to humans?