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To qualify for the race, the robots must look like humans and have a mechanical structure capable of performing motion actions such as bipedal walking or running on two legs, rather than using wheels.
The Human-Robot Marathon is all set to be held in April.
With robots rapidly integrating into various aspects of modern life, China is taking innovation further by hosting a groundbreaking human-robot race. The country will host the world’s first-ever marathon featuring human and robot runners this spring. The half-marathon event, scheduled in the Daxing district in Beijing, will see dozens of humanoid robots and around 12,000 human athletes in a thrilling 21 km route, as reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). It comes as China ramps up efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to gain an edge in the tech rivalry with the US.
Organised by the administrative body of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, or E-Town, the marathon will feature robots from more than 20 companies. As per E-Town, several companies, research institutes, robotics clubs, and universities from around the world would be invited to enter their humanoids in the marathon.
To qualify for the race, the robots must meet certain criteria. They must look like humans and have a mechanical structure capable of performing motion actions such as bipedal walking or running on two legs, rather than using wheels.
The official guidelines also state that the robots must be between 0.5 metres and 2 meters tall, with a minimum extension distance from the hip joint to the sole of at least 0.45 meters. The statement added that both remote-controlled and fully autonomous humanoids would qualify, and batteries would be allowed to be replaced during the race.
In 2023, China accounted for 51 per cent, or 276,288 robots, of the world’s total robot installations, according to the International Federation of Robotics. It is worth noting the country is also turning to robots to bolster support for the elderly, deploying them in caregiving scenarios such as health monitoring, emotional companionship, and intelligent household services. Also, China is exploring robotic applications for factories and other work scenarios to prepare for a dwindling workforce, as reported by SCMP.
Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, has adopted a 2024-26 plan to promote the development of a high-quality robotics sector. By 2030, the robotics industry in China could grow to 400 billion yuan, state news agency Xinhua reported last month.
