Bits of metal and wiring pinged off them as they tripped and crashed to the ground, to the delight of the stadium crowd. Some robots struggled to stay upright, collapsing shortly after the start.
A red robot that bore a passing resemblance to Iron Man started confidently, running a few paces, but then crumpled abruptly to the ground. Another had to be guided by its handlers, who gripped the back of its head. But it, too, suddenly keeled over.
Crippled and malfunctioning robots were carted off the track on blue stretchers.
During the 400m race, another robot thrashed its arms from side to side as it careered around the track, leaning forwards and wobbling.
“The intensity is higher than last year, which places significant demands on the robot’s battery management and thermal dissipation capabilities,” said Xu Qiaosheng, a robotics investor.
“It holds huge significance for the development of China’s industrial sector.”
Despite the comic moments, the athletic events showed the remarkable progress that Chinese companies have made in developing humanoid robots.
Tiangong Ultra’s 400m win followed the smashing of another record on Saturday when a robot called Lightning surpassed Usain Bolt’s 100m world record of 9.58 seconds. Lightning ran the distance in 9.39 seconds.
Built by Honor, a Chinese smartphone maker, the robot had already beaten the men’s half-marathon world record in a race earlier this year, finishing in 50min 26sec.
At the time of the half marathon, the robot measured 169cm in height, with its legs measuring 95cm. Researchers then extended its legs by 10cm before the World Humanoid Robot Games.
The five-day games, now in their second year, aim to showcase China’s advancement in humanoid technology. With more than 51 events, about 2000 robots participated in this year’s games, organisers said.
Apart from running, robots took part in boxing, high jump, table tennis, Tai Chi and football. At the opening ceremony, dozens of droids took part in synchronised marching. Other events in the next few days will include weightlifting and a tug-of-war contest.
A Beijing-based robotics startup called Galbot, said it would stage an autonomous humanoid tennis match, with robots attempting singles and doubles play, including serving and returning shots.
In the high jump, one robot was able to jump 2.88m, surpassing the human record of 2.45m, set by Javier Sotomayor of Cuba, in 1993.
Beijing is trying to establish itself as a global leader in robot technology. Of the 666 teams from around the world taking part in the Games, 641 are Chinese.
China is hoping that advances in AI and hardware will accelerate the use of robots in manufacturing, logistics and consumer applications.
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