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ROBOT RACERS. A robot takes part in what was billed as the world’s first robot half marathon during the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on April 19, 2025. Bipedal robots of various makes and sizes navigated the 13.1-mile course supported by teams of human navigators, operators, and engineers. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
ELECTRONIC EFFORTS. Four-legged robots perform before the award ceremony for the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
A blue and silver robot takes part the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon in Beijing. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
The Sky Project Ultra robot, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, crosses the finish line to win the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon held in Beijing on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
From The Asian Reporter, V35, #5 (May 5, 2025), page 20.
No sweat: Humanoid robots run a Chinese half-marathon alongside flesh-and-blood competitors
BEIJING (AP) — In one small step for robot-kind — thousands of them, really — humanoid robots ran alongside actual humans in a half-marathon in the Chinese capital.
The bipedal robots of various makes and sizes navigated the 13.1-mile course supported by teams of human navigators, operators, and engineers, in what event organizers say was a first. As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people.
While flesh-and-blood participants followed conventional rules, the 20 teams fielding machines in the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon competed under tailored guidelines, which included battery swap pit stops.
The Sky Project Ultra robot, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, from the Tien Kung Team, claimed victory among the nonhumans, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.
Awards were also given for best endurance, best gait design, and most innovative form.
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