Robots race humans in a half-marathon for first time

Twenty-one humanoid robots joined thousands of runners at the Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing yesterday, the first time machines have raced alongside humans over a 21-km 13-mile) course.

- EDUARDO BAPTISTA

The robots from Chinese manufacturers such as DroidVP and Noetix Robotics came in all shapes and sizes, some shorter than 120cm (3.9ft), others as tall as 1.8m (5.9ft). One company boasted that its robot looked almost human, with feminine features 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 He Sishu, who works in artificial intelligence.