Did a Marathon Leave Chinese Robots Without "Underwear"? A Quirky Incident Explained.
23 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Just months ago, robots were passing out handkerchiefs on the Spring Festival Gala; now, humanoid robots are running marathons. This weekend's event was remarkable. While imagining Cybertronian races with Megatron chasing Optimus Prime at school sports meets might seem entertaining, watching live streams online can be a disorienting experience: some robots malfunctioned mid-race, losing parts or entering an inactive state; others exhibited infant-like behavior from the start, and those designed to resemble humans often simply lay down on the track. One robot even featured wings that were uncontrollably tossed around by its operator upon startup—a clear demonstration of engineering ingenuity rather than a truly humanoid design.
However, several teams demonstrated focused competition. Beijing's Tian Gong Ultra leveraged an 180cm leg advantage; Songyan Dynamics’ Xiao Wantu N2 sprinted despite having shorter legs; and Shanghai’s Xinger No.2 showcased its ten-year record for robot walking—a testament to deep industry heritage.
Ultimately, Tian Gong Ultra secured first place, reinforcing the idea that running prowess is linked to design capabilities rather than lineage or history. While spectators found it amusing, some online viewers were shocked and questioned whether robots controlled remotely could truly be considered autonomous. Others felt misled by unrealistic expectations set during promotional phases.
Some critics even claimed this event exposed a superficiality within China’s robot industry. However, dismissing all progress based on one competition would be premature. Firstly, many teams simply showcased their robots without rigorous competitive standards; secondly, leading companies like Unitree did not participate due to prior commitments. The winning Tian Gong Ultra was produced by the organizer itself, and only a few competitors possessed both product-level robotics and self-developed algorithms—making the event more of a demonstration of top-tier capabilities than a comprehensive evaluation.
Comparing these remotely controlled robots with toy cars is inaccurate; running for humanoid robots involves significantly greater complexity in terms of degrees of freedom compared to driving four wheels. Maintaining balance on two feet throughout a marathon requires advanced control systems and sophisticated algorithms—a far cry from the simplicity of toys or vehicles.
Therefore, dismissing robotics based solely on surface-level observations isn’t rational. High-degree-of-freedom humanoid robot control remains one of the most challenging areas in both industry and algorithm development; achieving a 21km run is already an impressive feat given current technological limitations.
While some robots faltered during the marathon, others like Tian Gong Ultra showcased significant advancements in core technologies such as motor power density, motion-control algorithms, and balance systems. Completing this distance tests not only endurance but also component reliability and real-time computational capabilities across varied terrains—a critical challenge for robotics researchers that has persisted for decades.
Historically, every technological revolution began with imperfect or even comical attempts: early car races saw numerous accidents; aviation contests featured bizarre designs leading to tragic outcomes. Yet these initial setbacks did not deter progress but rather spurred innovation and improvement over time.
From the widespread popularity of robotic performances on the Spring Festival Gala among investors to recent skepticism following this marathon, public sentiment has fluctuated wildly—often irrationally so. A balanced perspective is essential: criticism drives industry accountability; however, excessive pessimism that diminishes achievements seems overly reactive given current technological stages.
In summary, while laughter and critique are valid responses, it’s crucial also to recognize the hard work of engineers striving towards making abstract concepts a reality—perhaps next time these robots will run even more steadily and swiftly. Rome wasn't built in a day; similarly, transforming robotics from theoretical marathons into household realities requires sustained effort beyond single events.
However, several teams demonstrated focused competition. Beijing's Tian Gong Ultra leveraged an 180cm leg advantage; Songyan Dynamics’ Xiao Wantu N2 sprinted despite having shorter legs; and Shanghai’s Xinger No.2 showcased its ten-year record for robot walking—a testament to deep industry heritage.
Ultimately, Tian Gong Ultra secured first place, reinforcing the idea that running prowess is linked to design capabilities rather than lineage or history. While spectators found it amusing, some online viewers were shocked and questioned whether robots controlled remotely could truly be considered autonomous. Others felt misled by unrealistic expectations set during promotional phases.
Some critics even claimed this event exposed a superficiality within China’s robot industry. However, dismissing all progress based on one competition would be premature. Firstly, many teams simply showcased their robots without rigorous competitive standards; secondly, leading companies like Unitree did not participate due to prior commitments. The winning Tian Gong Ultra was produced by the organizer itself, and only a few competitors possessed both product-level robotics and self-developed algorithms—making the event more of a demonstration of top-tier capabilities than a comprehensive evaluation.
Comparing these remotely controlled robots with toy cars is inaccurate; running for humanoid robots involves significantly greater complexity in terms of degrees of freedom compared to driving four wheels. Maintaining balance on two feet throughout a marathon requires advanced control systems and sophisticated algorithms—a far cry from the simplicity of toys or vehicles.
Therefore, dismissing robotics based solely on surface-level observations isn’t rational. High-degree-of-freedom humanoid robot control remains one of the most challenging areas in both industry and algorithm development; achieving a 21km run is already an impressive feat given current technological limitations.
While some robots faltered during the marathon, others like Tian Gong Ultra showcased significant advancements in core technologies such as motor power density, motion-control algorithms, and balance systems. Completing this distance tests not only endurance but also component reliability and real-time computational capabilities across varied terrains—a critical challenge for robotics researchers that has persisted for decades.
Historically, every technological revolution began with imperfect or even comical attempts: early car races saw numerous accidents; aviation contests featured bizarre designs leading to tragic outcomes. Yet these initial setbacks did not deter progress but rather spurred innovation and improvement over time.
From the widespread popularity of robotic performances on the Spring Festival Gala among investors to recent skepticism following this marathon, public sentiment has fluctuated wildly—often irrationally so. A balanced perspective is essential: criticism drives industry accountability; however, excessive pessimism that diminishes achievements seems overly reactive given current technological stages.
In summary, while laughter and critique are valid responses, it’s crucial also to recognize the hard work of engineers striving towards making abstract concepts a reality—perhaps next time these robots will run even more steadily and swiftly. Rome wasn't built in a day; similarly, transforming robotics from theoretical marathons into household realities requires sustained effort beyond single events.