Humanoid robot beats human half-marathon world record in Beijing
CBS News • • sports
Key Points:
- A humanoid robot named Lightning, developed by Chinese smartphone company Honor, broke the human half-marathon world record in Beijing by completing the 21-kilometer race in just over 50 minutes, beating the previous record of over 57 minutes.
- The Beijing E-Town Robot Half Marathon featured dozens of robots competing on a parallel course to human runners, testing capabilities like balance, endurance, and navigation under real-world conditions.
- While some robots experienced falls and navigation errors, the overall progress was significant compared to last year, when many struggled to finish the race.
- Organizers emphasized that the event aims to push robotics technology beyond the lab, with potential applications in manufacturing, logistics, and emergency response, rather than focusing solely on speed.
- The event highlights rapid advancements in robotics in China, reflecting broader efforts to develop technologies for both civilian and military purposes.
