Beijing's robots break nine-second barrier but struggle in the real world

Robots at the Beijing World Robot Conference are showcasing remarkable speed, with some humanoids now completing a 100-meter race in under nine seconds. This represents a dramatic leap from just a year ago when the primary challenge was simply staying upright and reaching the finish line. The evolution was evident in the 100-meter race for larger robots, where Tianjiao finished in 8.64 seconds, narrowly beating Tianxiao's 8.65 seconds in a near-simultaneous finish. This time significantly improves upon the 9.39 seconds recorded earlier in the event and contrasts sharply with the 21.50 seconds taken by last year's winner.

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The called World Robot Humanoid Games of Beijing close their second edition this Wednesday with much faster and more capable machines, although still facing much more elementary difficulties outside the tracks.

Similar advancements are seen in longer distances. The 1,500-meter race times have dropped from over six minutes last year to just over two minutes this year. However, increased speed has introduced new complications. In the long jump, some robots accelerate, jump, and then continue moving for several meters without being able to stop. Falls remain a common sight, with operators in red vests entering the track to remove the multi-kilogram machines, often on stretchers, to ensure safety and avoid obstructing other competitors.

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Tianjiao won this Wednesday the 100-meter final for larger robots with a time of 8.64 seconds, compared to 8.65 for Tianxiao, in a practically simultaneous arrival that forced to wait for the result to know the champion.

Beyond the racing circuit, the robots' capabilities in tasks mimicking real-world jobs are less impressive. While some machines can manipulate objects, prepare orders, and assemble components, their movements are slow, and they struggle with tasks considered routine for humans. In an industrial scenario requiring precise manipulation of engine parts, the winning team scored 237 points, with a close second scoring 225. In a simulated supermarket task, robots were challenged to locate products, restock shelves, and identify misplaced items autonomously.

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The mark also lowers the 9.39 seconds registered by Tiangong on the opening day and contrasts with the 21.50 seconds needed by the winner of the 100 meters in the first edition of the Games, just a year ago.

Organizers acknowledge the gap between the robots' athletic prowess and their practical utility. Gong Xiao, a member of the organizing committee, noted that the robots' performance is still far from what is needed for widespread application. The conference, while growing in international participation, remains predominantly Chinese, with foreign teams beginning to make their mark on the medal table.

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In the long jump, some robots accelerated, jumped and landed to then continue several meters without managing to stop, while the falls continue to leave one of the most peculiar images of the Games: operators with red vests entering the track to remove the machines on stretchers.