“That more than 20 robot companies participated shows that robot tech in China is pushing forward quickly,” said Guo Yijie, team lead for the winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, which was developed by the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics.As the starting siren echoed through the air, the first batch of robots jogged ahead, their metal legs thumping loudly against the track. The tallest robot was 5 feet 10 inches, while the shortest, nicknamed “Little Giant,” measured less than 2.5 feet and drew cheers from the crowd as it swaggered past and waved enthusiastically.
Some robots ran smoothly like humans while others had stiffer, more mechanical movements. Each also had a unique style: Some had lifelike skin and hair, others wore clothes, and a few ran in sneakers.
Companies developing humanoid robots in China, the U.S. and elsewhere hope they might eventually be able to do jobs ranging from manufacturing to caregiving.
“Our vision is for humanoid robots to integrate into various industries and households, serving humanity in meaningful ways,” said Wei Jiaxing, brand and public relations lead at the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics. “They can enhance productivity, improve efficiency and help address labor shortages.”
When it came to running, however, the robots were no match for the human contestants, who had time to stop and snap selfies with them along the 13-mile course in Yizhuang, a tech hub district in southeast Beijing.
Some of the robots barely got started. One, designed with a woman’s body and face, collapsed moments after crossing the starting line. The sudden malfunction sent a group of engineers rushing to its side.
Another was struck by a glitch before the race even began and lay on the ground, finally arising to cheers from spectators.
Midway through the race, some robots became too “tired” to continue on their own, and their human operators had to guide them with leashes. The robots were allowed to swap batteries or even be replaced by another machine altogether.
Of the 21 robots, six made it to the finish line. The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes, after three battery changes and one fall. That compares with 1 hour and 2 minutes for the human winner of the men’s race.
Li Qingdu, founder of the Shanghai-based manufacturer DroidUp, said he was not concerned with the race’s rankings. His humanoid robot came in third at 4 hours and 25 minutes.