This Saturday, history was created in Beijing when twenty-one humanoid robots raced in the Yizhuang half-marathon . It was the first event where robots shared the stage with human runners in a 21-kilometre racetrack, a monumental leap in the development of robots and artificial intelligence. The competition attracted extensive coverage, showcasing advancements in humanoid robots and providing glimpses of future applications in other industries.
Robots of all sizes and shapes ran alongside humans on the 21-kilometre track
The robots that participated were made by different Chinese robot makers, including well-known firms like DroidVP and Noetix Robotics. The robots varied in size and shape, offering a great range of designs for the public to view. Some of the robots stood at just 1.2 meters, while others reached a height of 1.8 meters. This difference in height and build illustrates the versatility of humanoid robots, indicating that there is no one formula for designing robots.
Certain manufacturers advanced their design of robots a notch higher in terms of more human-like features. For example, one such manufacturer had a robot with a female face that was able to mimic similar human facial expressions such as smiling and winking. Customization for the robots also did not limit itself to looks since many also spent weeks preparing their robots in an attempt to give them flawless performance in the race.
Robotic race in China marks a milestone in technological innovation
The race was not merely a race but also an exhibition of the technical and engineering advancement in the field of robotics. Beijing officials described the race as a motor race, referencing the pivotal role that was played by the engineering teams and navigation experts who piloted the robots through the competition. As a high-performance racing team is attached to each robot, there was a technical team attached to each robot that could manage its technical aspect so that the robot performed uniformly throughout the race.
Witnesses were able to witness the sophistication and precision it requires for the robots to master the challenging 21kilometers route. He Sishu, an observer who works in the artificial intelligence field, commented, "The robots are running well, very stable… I feel I am seeing the upgrading of robots and AI." This was a reflection on the general mood and perspective that this was a turning point for the advancement of humanoid robots and AI technology.
Robots with distinct designs and trainer help overcome challenges in the race
Even though the robots were meant to run on their own, the majority of them continued to require trainers for support. Some of the
robots required physical assistance, particularly when there was a technical issue, and the trainers had to intervene to help them stay on track. In some cases, trainers physically supported the robots in order to avoid them falling behind or getting stranded during the competition.
Both in appearance and in gear, some of the robots had sneakers on their arms, others distinct accessories that continued to make them look better aesthetically. Some of the robots even sported boxing gloves, indicating a "fighting attitude," another a red strap worn on the head with phrases printed on it, "Bound to Win," which was Chinese as well. These lighthearted additions gave the robots character and showed how companies were trying to make the robots more human-like in order to appeal more powerfully to individuals. The Winner: Tiangong Ultra
Tiangong Ultra, a robot that was built and designed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, took part in the marathon. Tiangong Ultra won the race by coming in first to complete the 21kilometers within a mind-boggling 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is an extraordinary feat for a humanoid robot. Nonetheless, the human marathon champion took the race to completion in 1 hour and 2 minutes, which only further illustrated the disparity between robots and humans as far as running long distances is concerned.
The Beijing Human Robotics Innovation Centre is a joint venture, with two state-owned companies owning 43% of its shares, and the robotics arm of tech titan Xiaomi and leader in humanoid robotics UBTech owning the remaining shares. The center's participation in this event is also an indication that China is investing heavily in robotics and aims to be a leader in the industry.
Tiangong Ultra sets the pace in humanoid robot marathon
Tiangong Ultra's victory can be attributed to several factors, such as its superior design and superior technology. Tang Jian, the chief technology officer at Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, attributes Tiangong Ultra's long legs as a key factor in its superb performance during the competition. Additionally, the robot possessed an advanced algorithm that allowed it to mimic the way humans run a marathon, enhancing its performance along the distance.
Tang claimed, "I don't boast but no other robot companies in the West have matched Tiangong's success on the sporting field." He also explained that the batteries in the robot had to be changed three times while competing to ensure that it functioned for the entire 21kilometers.
Despite the triumph, not every robot performed well. Some had mechanical issues from the start. One robot, for example, broke down at the start line and had to remain lying there for a number of minutes before it was able to start running again. Another robot had a crash early on in the event, which crashed into a railing and caused its human operator to lose balance and fall over. These problems were indicative of the teething issues that humanoid robots face as they are forced to operate in real-world environments. While the robots were impressive, it was clear that a lot of work was required to enhance reliability and performance under unpredictable conditions.
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Robots of all sizes and shapes ran alongside humans on the 21-kilometre track
The robots that participated were made by different Chinese robot makers, including well-known firms like DroidVP and Noetix Robotics. The robots varied in size and shape, offering a great range of designs for the public to view. Some of the robots stood at just 1.2 meters, while others reached a height of 1.8 meters. This difference in height and build illustrates the versatility of humanoid robots, indicating that there is no one formula for designing robots.
Certain manufacturers advanced their design of robots a notch higher in terms of more human-like features. For example, one such manufacturer had a robot with a female face that was able to mimic similar human facial expressions such as smiling and winking. Customization for the robots also did not limit itself to looks since many also spent weeks preparing their robots in an attempt to give them flawless performance in the race.
Robotic race in China marks a milestone in technological innovation
The race was not merely a race but also an exhibition of the technical and engineering advancement in the field of robotics. Beijing officials described the race as a motor race, referencing the pivotal role that was played by the engineering teams and navigation experts who piloted the robots through the competition. As a high-performance racing team is attached to each robot, there was a technical team attached to each robot that could manage its technical aspect so that the robot performed uniformly throughout the race.
Witnesses were able to witness the sophistication and precision it requires for the robots to master the challenging 21kilometers route. He Sishu, an observer who works in the artificial intelligence field, commented, "The robots are running well, very stable… I feel I am seeing the upgrading of robots and AI." This was a reflection on the general mood and perspective that this was a turning point for the advancement of humanoid robots and AI technology.
Robots with distinct designs and trainer help overcome challenges in the race
Even though the robots were meant to run on their own, the majority of them continued to require trainers for support. Some of the
robots required physical assistance, particularly when there was a technical issue, and the trainers had to intervene to help them stay on track. In some cases, trainers physically supported the robots in order to avoid them falling behind or getting stranded during the competition.
Both in appearance and in gear, some of the robots had sneakers on their arms, others distinct accessories that continued to make them look better aesthetically. Some of the robots even sported boxing gloves, indicating a "fighting attitude," another a red strap worn on the head with phrases printed on it, "Bound to Win," which was Chinese as well. These lighthearted additions gave the robots character and showed how companies were trying to make the robots more human-like in order to appeal more powerfully to individuals. The Winner: Tiangong Ultra
Tiangong Ultra, a robot that was built and designed by the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, took part in the marathon. Tiangong Ultra won the race by coming in first to complete the 21kilometers within a mind-boggling 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is an extraordinary feat for a humanoid robot. Nonetheless, the human marathon champion took the race to completion in 1 hour and 2 minutes, which only further illustrated the disparity between robots and humans as far as running long distances is concerned.
The Beijing Human Robotics Innovation Centre is a joint venture, with two state-owned companies owning 43% of its shares, and the robotics arm of tech titan Xiaomi and leader in humanoid robotics UBTech owning the remaining shares. The center's participation in this event is also an indication that China is investing heavily in robotics and aims to be a leader in the industry.
Tiangong Ultra sets the pace in humanoid robot marathon
Tiangong Ultra's victory can be attributed to several factors, such as its superior design and superior technology. Tang Jian, the chief technology officer at Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, attributes Tiangong Ultra's long legs as a key factor in its superb performance during the competition. Additionally, the robot possessed an advanced algorithm that allowed it to mimic the way humans run a marathon, enhancing its performance along the distance.
Tang claimed, "I don't boast but no other robot companies in the West have matched Tiangong's success on the sporting field." He also explained that the batteries in the robot had to be changed three times while competing to ensure that it functioned for the entire 21kilometers.
Despite the triumph, not every robot performed well. Some had mechanical issues from the start. One robot, for example, broke down at the start line and had to remain lying there for a number of minutes before it was able to start running again. Another robot had a crash early on in the event, which crashed into a railing and caused its human operator to lose balance and fall over. These problems were indicative of the teething issues that humanoid robots face as they are forced to operate in real-world environments. While the robots were impressive, it was clear that a lot of work was required to enhance reliability and performance under unpredictable conditions.
Also Read | NYT Wordle | Roblox King Legacy Codes | Roblox Shindo Life codes
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