In an event that marked a milestone for robotics, humanoid robots participated alongside humans in a half-marathon in Beijing. This unique competition, deemed the first of its kind, saw robots of various designs tackling the 21.1-kilometer course with the aid of human teams who provided navigation and operational support. To ensure safety, the robots and human runners were separated by a divider along the course.
The event featured 20 teams that navigated their robots under specific guidelines, including scheduled battery swap stops. The Sky Project Ultra, also known as Tien Kung Ultra, emerged as the fastest among the robotic competitors, completing the half-marathon in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 42 seconds.
In addition to speed, awards were distributed for categories such as best endurance, best gait design, and most innovative form, highlighting the diverse capabilities and technological advancements demonstrated by the participating robots.