Beijing to host world’s first half marathon for humanoid robots as it will provide a unique opportunity to evaluate and enhance their mobility technology.
Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area, commonly known as “E-town,” is set to host the world’s inaugural half marathon featuring humanoid robots on April 13. Both human participants and robots will begin the 21.0975-kilometer race at the same time, though robots will use separate lanes to ensure safety.
In preparation for the event, six robot teams conducted their initial on-site trial runs on March 28, as reported by China Media Group. These teams make up roughly a quarter of all entries. Robots will race alongside humans, but protective barriers and green belts will separate their lanes. Seven support stations will be located along the route to assist participants.
Each robot will require multiple battery changes to complete the course. Dedicated technical crews will accompany each team, performing quick swaps during the race, similar to pit stops in Formula 1.
Wang Guolin, deputy head of the robot competition group, stated that these support stations will provide essential services, including battery replacements, safety gear, and auxiliary equipment. During the test run, the first robot finished the half marathon in about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Many of the participating robots were not originally engineered for endurance-based activities.
While humanoid robots are usually evaluated in controlled lab settings, this outdoor race presents a unique chance to assess their real-world performance. It offers an opportunity to test their adaptability, stability, and durability in a dynamic environment.
Wang added that the event will help evaluate key capabilities such as movement control, balance, posture, energy usage, and algorithm efficiency. He emphasized that this collaboration could significantly advance the embodied robotics industry.
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