China is set to make history by hosting the world’s first half-marathon where humans and robots will compete side by side. The event is scheduled to take place in Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area, commonly referred to as E-Town. This unprecedented race will feature robots from leading companies, research institutions, and universities around the world. Aimed at showcasing China’s advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, the event promises to be a significant milestone in technological innovation.
The half-marathon, scheduled for April, allows only bipedal robots ranging from 1.5 to 6.5 feet in height. It will see 12,000 human participants compete alongside robots from over 20 companies across a challenging 13-mile course. E-Town officials emphasized that this event is just the beginning of a series of all-robot sporting events planned for the future.
"Moving forward, Beijing E-Town will focus on advancing cutting-edge embodied artificial intelligence technologies, industrializing high-end humanoid products, and fostering a top-tier innovation ecosystem," – E-Town officials
The event builds on a successful trial run held last fall, during which a bipedal robot named Tiangong participated in the Beijing Yizhuang half-marathon. Tiangong impressed spectators by completing a 100-meter event and was awarded a medal for its performance. As the upcoming half-marathon approaches, Tiangong is preparing for a full-fledged run with an anticipated speed of up to 6.2 miles per hour.
Although Tiangong will compete, another notable robot, RAIBO2, will not participate. Despite its impressive feat of completing a full marathon in South Korea in just over four hours, RAIBO2 is ineligible for the April race due to its non-bipedal design.
"Competing robots must have a humanoid appearance and mechanical structure capable of bipedal walking or running movements," – E-Town officials
Beijing's E-Town, known as a robotics hub, houses over 140 companies generating nearly 10 billion yuan ($1.37 billion) in output. This hub accounts for half of the city's total robotics production, which exceeds double the output of E-Town alone. In August, Beijing plans to host an all-robot sporting extravaganza featuring races, football, and various competitive showcases of robotic skill.
