Humanoid Robots Run a Half-marathon Alongside Human Competitors

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 on Saturday, AP reported from Beijing.

The bipedal robots of various makes and sizes navigated the 21.1-kilometer 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 out for best endurance, best gait design and most innovative form.