Humanoid robots at the second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing broke the 100-meter sprint record previously held by Usain Bolt, while also crashing into barriers and catching fire during races. The event, held from August 22–26, showcased both the capabilities and limitations of the machines, with some robots falling apart in a shower of sparks or burning out after crossing the finish line. The games included a variety of challenges, from sprinting and combat to household chores and firefighting, highlighting the progress and gaps in current robotic technology.
According to Dipam Patel, a PhD candidate at Purdue University and researcher at the US Army DevCom Army Research Lab, the robots demonstrated significant improvements in whole-body control, as they needed to move all joints and limbs to complete tasks like sprinting and jumping. However, Patel noted that these robots are still far from general-purpose autonomous systems, as they were engineered for specific tasks, such as running in a straight line without the ability to slow down or change direction. Some companies developed different robots for different games or tasks to optimize performance in specific scenarios.
The games also included less flashy but potentially more useful challenges, such as washing laundry, delivering packages, and firefighting. Only three out of 12 competing teams completed the full firefighting challenge within 30 minutes, according to the Global Times. While some robots showed dexterity in tasks like picking up beans and hammering nails, many were still controlled by human operators, which was penalized in scoring. Patel emphasized that autonomous systems require extensive training and edge case handling, which remains a major hurdle for widespread deployment.
Source: arstechnica
