)
A recent race in China showed that humans still hold an edge over their robotic counterparts, for now.
Concerns have been growing that robots might soon outpace humans in endurance sports like road races, but following a recent competition in China, the statistic suggests otherwise.
There is no doubt that social media has been buzzing with viral clips of humanoid robots riding bikes and performing acrobatic feats, something that has sparked renewed debates about the future of human-robot competition.
According to a 2023 report as seen by CNN Sport, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology declared humanoid robots as the next major investment in global tech advancement.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News
)
17:30 - 18.04.2025
Shock as Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Linked With Surprise Exit
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has been tipped for a coaching role with with former club.
The Ministry even laid out plans for large-scale production and the development of robust supply chains for key robotic components.
And while AI models continue to advance rapidly, Saturday’s race proved that, for now, humans still hold the edge in endurance.
What happened at the world’s first humanoid half-marathon?
)
Over 20 robots from several companies and universities took part in the world’s first humanoid half-marathon in China, pitted against 12,000 humans.
Despite their participation being a technological milestone, they were nowhere near outpacing their human counterparts over the gruelling distance.
The robots were given the opportunities just like the humans, with chances to change their batteries and swap their androids with substitutes.
)
17:41 - 18.04.2025
Percy Tau: Why South African Forward Risks Losing Multi-million Contract In Qatar
South African forward Percy Tau joined Qatari club Qatar SC in January but he could be on his way out soon given a number of clauses tied to his multi-million contract.
The first robot across the finish line, Tiangong Ultra, was created by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre.
The robot crossed the finish line in two hours and 40 minutes, with the winner of the race clocking one hour and two minutes.
Tang Jian, chief technology officer for the robotics innovation centre, reacting to the robot’s performance, said: “I don’t want to boast but I think no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” Tang said, according to the Reuters news agency.
Challenges the robots faced
)
The first robot to complete the race did not exactly cruise to victory, as it needed three battery changes along the way.
Standing at 1.8 meters tall, the robot also relied on a human assistant who jogged beside it, hands at the ready to catch it in case of a stumble. Some of the robots were also led by a remote control.
The amateur human runners, on the other hand, had no trouble keeping pace with some even pulling out their phones mid-stride to film the intriguing sight of their robotic competitors in action.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)