Beijing Robot Games bring together over 2,000 humanoid machines
More than 2,000 humanoid robots are competing in races, football and tai chi at the five-day Beijing Robot Games. Engineers use the event to test the machines' stability and movement capabilities.
More than 2,000 humanoid robots are taking part in the Beijing Robot Games, a five-day competition featuring events ranging from racing to football and tai chi.
On Sunday, at the National Speed Skating Oval, robots competed in a 400-metre race designed for smaller machines. The winning robot, Tiangong Omni-04, crossed the finish line in 45.66 seconds. Several other competitors did not complete the race, either falling or stopping partway through.
Testing real-world skills
The competition is intended to test abilities that humanoid robots may eventually need to perform in real-world environments. Between races, engineers cool down the machines and closely observe how they walk, run and handle various physical challenges.
At the tai chi event, robots attempt kicks and aerial turns, tasks that demand a high degree of balance and coordination. According to engineers involved in the event, these trials help assess the robots' stability, joint power and overall system performance.
The results from such tests could inform further development of humanoid robotics, as engineers look to refine how the machines move and respond to physical demands.
