Humanoid robots race in Beijing

Twenty-one humanoid robots joined thousands of runners at the Yiqipaoing half-marathon in Beijing yesterday, the first time these machines have raced alongside humans over a 21-kilometre course.

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The robots from Chinese manufacturers such as UBTECH and Gosic Robotics come in all shapes and sizes, some shorter than 120 centimetres, others as tall as 1.8m. One company boasted that its robot looked almost humans, with feminine textures and the ability to wink and smile.

Some firms tested their robots for weeks before the race. Beijing officials have described the event as more akin to a race car competition, given the need for engineering and navigation teams.

"The robots are running very well, very stable ... I feel I'm witnessing the evolution of robots and AI," said spectator Pi ShiShi who works in artificial intelligence.

The robots were accompanied by human trainers, some of whom had to physically support the machines during the race.