Humans, robots race at world’s first half-marathon in China

BEIJING - Over 20 humanoid robots ran alongside thousands of humans in a 21-kilometer race in Beijing on Saturday, believed to be world’s first half-marathon featuring robots. 

The bipedal robots came in various sizes and makes. They were supported by human navigators. For safety, a divider separated the robots from human runners along the course. 

“I think the robots are very cool, and they have different shapes. Some are small but very flexible, and some have long legs but don't seem to run as fast as the small ones. They are very interesting,” Zhang Zhuo, who works for one of the robot-producing companies, told Rudaw. 

Li Xiang is a human runner of the event. 

“I am particularly happy and feel the strength and prosperity of our country's technological power. Last year's marathon, I saw robots with four legs. Before the race, I heard on the radio that they had changed from four legs to two legs,” he said. 

“I think when everyone started running, they were all focused on the robots and almost forgot about starting themselves. However, seeing the robots on the way felt very novel. After all, this is the world's first race where a person and a robot run together,” Wang Yi Nuo, another runner, said. 

Tang Jian, Chief Technology Officer at the Beijing Innovation Center of Human Robotics, said their robots have “various basic human movements, such as running, walking, and climbing stairs.” 

He added, “In the future, we also need to do some complex actions, such as falling, standing up, sitting up, and doing some complex hand operations while standing, and even some more difficult actions.”

 

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