A way to introduce robots into our lives.
The city of Beijing is preparing to host a historic event on April 13, a 21 km half marathon that will pit humans and humanoid robots competing side by side, the event to be held in the Chinese capital's technological economic development area, Beijing E-Town promises to draw global attention to the advancement of robotics and its potential in various areas.
Search “equality”
To ensure a fair challenge, if a showdown between machines and humans can be considered fair, the organizers are setting some specific rules for the participating robots.
Mandatory bipedal design; Only humanoid robots will be able to compete, including any model with wheels or more than two legs.
Height between 50 cm and 2 meters; The size of the robots must be kept within this Range.
The time limit of 3 hours and 30 minutes; The tour must be completed within this time frame.
Relays and penalties; Teams can replace robots or change batteries during the race, but each replacement adds a 10-minute penalty to the final time.
The objective is to expand the use of robotics in all areas
The first three places will receive cash prizes as well as special recognition for endurance and innovation in design. More than a sporting spectacle, the marathon is part of China's ambitious plan to expand the use of robotics. Beijing E-Town has announced an investment of $686 million for the implementation of 10,000 robots in various industries including manufacturing, health and education.
Giants like Xiaomi automotive have already begun to integrate industrial robots in processes such as quality inspection and packaging, the goal is to have 5,000 robots operating by the end of 2025, especially in factories and high-risk environments.
The race is not only an endurance test for robots, but a public demonstration of technological advancement and its application in the real world, with the exponential growth of humanoid robotics events like this reinforce China's position at the forefront of innovation and pave the way towards a future in which humans and machines will increasingly work together.
My bet is that the most recent favorite the G1 from unitree will be the winner and yours.
