It seems robots are no longer content with just vacuuming our floors or assembling our cars—they’re now literally on equal footing with humans. Well, bipedal footing, at least. In a groundbreaking event that sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie, Beijing is set to host the first-ever long-distance running race between humanoid robots and humans this April. Get ready for a mix of huffing, puffing, and maybe even some mechanical creaking as these two-legged bots take on flesh-and-blood athletes in a 13-mile (approximately 21 kilometre) marathon. Organized by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town), the race will feature more than 12,000 human runners alongside a lineup of humanoid robots from tech firms, research institutions, and robot clubs worldwide. But don’t expect any shortcuts—robots must adhere to strict rules. They must have a humanoid appearance, walk or run on two legs (no wheels allowed!), and stand between 19.7 inches and 78.7 inches tall. Oh, and their hip-to-foot extension must be at least 17.7 inches. Because, you know, fairness. One of the confirmed participants is Tiangong, a bipedal humanoid that’s already made headlines. Last year, Tiangong joined the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon, completing a modest 100 meters. While it wasn’t exactly breaking speed records, its ability to finish the course earned it a symbolic medal. By April, Tiangong is expected to reach speeds of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour—a significant improvement that highlights the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in mimicking human-like movements. Here’s how humans and robots stack up in the race: Category Humans Robots Speed Up to 13 mph (elite runners) Up to 6.2 mph (Tiangong) Endurance Can sustain long distances Improving but still limited Innovation Natural evolution Cutting-edge engineering Robots can be remote-controlled or fully autonomous, and teams are allowed to swap out batteries mid-race if needed. As for the humans, let’s hope they’re on their best behavior—no tripping the competition, no matter how tempting it might be to sabotage a bot threatening to leave them in the dust. This isn’t the first time robots have hit the track in China. Last fall, Tiangong’s appearance at the Yizhuang Half Marathon and quadruped robots serving as pacesetters at the Hangzhou Marathon showed that the idea of robots competing alongside humans is gaining traction. April’s race is expected to draw significant attention as the world watches to see how far robotics has come. As advancements in humanoid robotics continue to accelerate, this event raises fascinating questions. Will robots one day surpass humans in physical endurance? Or will the unpredictability of human grit and determination keep us ahead? Either way, this race is more than just a competition—it’s a glimpse into a future where humans and robots might coexist in ways we’re only beginning to imagine. So, who’s your money on: the humans or the humanoids?
from Latest Technology News, Tech News Pakistan | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/TvN5qig
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