bipedal robots Archives

Well, it’s begun. Our era of humanoid robots interacting with us in real, tangible ways.

In April, Beijing is hosting a half marathon where humans will compete alongside bipedal (walking/running) robots.

The 21-kilometer race will showcase over 12,000 determined human runners alongside more than 20 teams of cutting-edge humanoid robots, developed by leading manufacturers from across the globe.

The robots are not allowed to use wheels, and must complete the full race. They will be a combination of remote-controlled robots, and fully autonomous ones. And their handlers will be able to swap out their batteries during the race.

Beijing Daily shows some test running robots, which joined runners near the finish line of a race in November.

While walking robots are not new, it will be a challenge for them to keep up the stamina (and battery power) to keep up with their human counterparts.

Do you think human runners will easily beat the robots, or will our mechanical facsimiles pull off a win?

Read more on Dezeen. Cover image via Unsplash.

Disney’s theme parks have always been a place of imagination and wonder. The teams don’t sit still, however, always dreaming up new ways to improve rides, make wait-times more enjoyable, and add experiential elements to their adventures.

The addition of new bipedal Star Wars robots is a great example. These charming little robots are destined to walk around with park guests, adding to the imagination and wonder of the Star Wars universe.

Disney Research recently shared some of the mechanics and exploration that goes into creating these plucky little droids. It’s impressive engineering, and shows how much care and time goes into something seemingly so transitory.

The robotic droids have a great personality, giving off playful, curious expressions, and adding to the overall atmosphere of the park.

While controlled by remote controllers, the robots are highly expressive, and the plan is to have them interact with guests, making the experience in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge world even more immersive. Check out the YouTube video below of the droids in training.