Beijing: Androids put through their paces and take on humans in 21km half marathon running race
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 21km course supported by teams of human navigators, operators and engineers in what event organisers say was a first.
As a precaution, a divider separated the parallel courses used by the robots and people.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.While flesh-and-blood participants followed conventional rules, the 20 teams fielding machines in the Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon in Beijing on Saturday 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 non-humans, crossing the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds.
Awards were also given out for best endurance, best gait design and most innovative form.
