Chinese humanoid beats Usain Bolt’s record at World Robot Games

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Faceless humanoids exceeded human records and delighted hundreds of spectators at the World Robot Games over the weekend in Beijing as China showcased its dominance in the industry.

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Dozens of humanoids and their human operators descended on Beijing’s Olympic speed skating arena Sunday to compete in events from athletics and boxing to football and martial arts.

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During Saturday’s opening ceremony, a Chinese robot broke Jamaican legend Usain Bolt’s record for the 100-metre dash, a feat splashed across headlines in Chinese state media.

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The white and headless humanoid called Tiangong Ultra finished the sprint in 9.39 seconds according to state broadcaster CCTV — surpassing Bolt’s best of 9.58 seconds, set in 2009.

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On Sunday, robot-makers scored another win, with the same humanoid model shattering the 400-metre world record by nearly five seconds.

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Developed by a local government-backed research centre in Beijing, it finished in 38.16 seconds — with its time later revised to 38.15.

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In one 400-metre heat, a white-shelled robot thrashed its arms side to side as it propelled itself around the track, leaning dangerously forward as fans wondered out loud if it would fall.

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The robot wobbled as it stormed toward the finish but managed to remain upright.

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Fans were just as pleased to watch the robo-athletes flop, as multiple robotic runners failed to start.

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Others made their way around the track at the pace of a brisk walk or crumbled immediately after the gun start.

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Children and their parents giggled as a toddler-sized robot kicked a football off the pitch over knee-high barricades.

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‘It’s not a test of intelligence’

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Each clunky, barely defended goal earned the waddling humanoids roars of applause from the stands.

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Spectators erupted into laughter as a humanoid in a boxing ring stumbled off to the side and folded over the ropes where it stayed motionless until humans lifted it away.

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For 72-year-old spectator Hou Yali, the weekend’s robot records left her wanting to watch the machines go against humans.

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“We’ll be able to see more clearly whether machines can surpass humans,” said Hou, who is retired and lives in Beijing.

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“Right now, this is just running, just a competition of speed. It’s not a test of intelligence, or hiring someone to do household tasks or act as live-in help,” she said.

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Hou, who pays aides to clean her home and make meals for her weekly, said she would like to see robots do those tasks.

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“With the development of our country’s economy, people have more money in their pockets, and they may decide to use robots,” she said.

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AFP

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