China is ahead of time. How? You must have seen a human versus robot race, but only in films. China is bringing it to reality. For the first time in Beijing, twenty-one humanoid machines were included in human runners in a 21-km semi-marathon.

Teams of universities, research institutes and technical firms joined the race. Chinese media reported that many of these teams had spent weeks in preparing and testing their robots before the big day.

Although the robot has been seen in the previous marathon in China, this is the first time they were officially allowed to run with humans. Officials compared the incident to a motorcar race, where technical support and navigation capacity is valuable as speed.

How is this more than a race?

Robot competition is not an ordinary event. It is also part of China’s big effort to lead the world in robotics and artificial intelligence. By putting high -tech machines on public performance, the nation wants to discuss for upcoming technologies.

But some observers are not yet sure that there is a great practical application for this spectacle. Alan Fern, Professor of Oregon State University of Computer Science and Robotics, is not sure that it is as much about the successes in AI as it is about demonstrating mechanical stamina.

“Robot Half-Marathon is more than a hardware endurance performance,” Fern explained.

He said, “Chinese companies have really focused on walking, running, dancing and showing other tricks of agility. Generally, these are interesting performances, but they do not display a lot about useful work utility or any kind of basic intelligence information,” he said.

Rules and real world challenges

There is a special set of rules to make it fair and safe in the robot race. Only humanoids, bipads, and 0.5 and 2 meters long parts can participate. Robots with wheels or more than two legs could not compete.

The organizers said that, with hours of simulation, the real environment will run robots on their borders. The team can change the battery or robot during the race, but every replacement will cost a 10 -minute fine.

Both the remote-controlled and autonomous robots were allowed, but had to drive safely during the incident. The race itself had a tough time limit of 3.5 hours.

The winner of the final location is fixed at the adjusted time, and the winner cannot win due to penalty when finished.

5,000 yuan ($ 697), 4,000 yuan ($ 558), and 3,000 yuan ($ 418) cash prizes were awarded, and special awards for creativity and stamina.

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