In a groundbreaking development for artificial intelligence and robotics, the world’s first human versus humanoid robot half marathon has been announced for 2025. The event, organized by AI startup Figure and Volkswagen-backed Agility Robotics, will feature advanced bipedal robots competing alongside human runners in a 13.1-mile race. The competition aims to showcase the rapid advancement in AI-powered locomotion and real-world mobility capabilities of humanoid robots. The participating robots will need to demonstrate not only physical endurance but also complex AI decision-making abilities to navigate the course, maintain balance, and adjust their pace. This event represents a significant milestone in testing the limits of current AI and robotics technology, particularly in terms of energy efficiency, adaptive movement, and environmental awareness. The organizers emphasize that the robots will operate autonomously using their onboard AI systems, without remote control. While the robots aren’t expected to match elite human runners’ speeds, the focus is on completing the distance while maintaining stability and demonstrating practical mobility applications. The event has implications beyond sports, as successful completion would validate the potential for humanoid robots in real-world applications requiring sustained physical activity and complex navigation. Safety protocols will be in place to protect both human runners and robots, with dedicated lanes and monitoring systems throughout the course.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/humanoid-robots-to-race-humans-in-first-robot-half-marathon-2025-3