First ever: Humanoid robots outrun humans in China half marathon
Photo: humanoid robot shakes hands with a human (Getty Images)
Chinese humanoid robots have significantly improved their performance and, during a half marathon, managed to outperform some human runners, although just a year ago most of them failed to finish, according to The Guardian.
More than 100 Chinese-made robots took part in the race. They ran on a parallel track alongside human runners to avoid collisions.
A year ago, a similar experiment was plagued by numerous technical issues — many robots could not start or failed to reach the finish line.
This time, the situation has changed noticeably: most participants successfully completed the distance.
The winning robot, developed by Honor, a well-known Chinese smartphone manufacturer, finished the race in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, several minutes faster than the world record set by Jacob Kiplimo last month in Lisbon.
However, there were still incidents: the humanoid had to be lifted from the ground just a few meters before the finish after it crashed into a barrier.
New products from Honor
At the same time, Honor is preparing to unveil its new Honor 600 smartphone lineup, scheduled for April 23. Prices in Europe are expected to range from around €550 to €650 depending on the model.
The series is set to feature powerful processors, cameras up to 200 MP, and a new silicon-carbon battery with a capacity of 7000 mAh, offering improved battery life. The smartphones will also support AI-powered video creation features and fast charging.
