Robots tackle steep ascent of Mount Tai in endurance Challenge
A competition showcasing robotic capabilities unfolded on Monday as dozens of robots ascended over 3,000 steps of Mount Tai, a significant peak in Shandong province, China. Many of the machines were tasked with carrying eggs and watermelons, designed to evaluate their resilience in demanding conditions.
Mount Tai holds deep cultural importance in China, historically serving as a pilgrimage site for emperors and appearing in numerous myths.
The challenging terrain presented difficulties for some participants. Footage from CCTV showed one humanoid robot, adorned with a bandana, malfunctioning and requiring repair, while another robot fell down stairs, ending up near a trash receptacle.
The event, part of the inaugural World Mountain Robot Challenge, took place at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Teams from approximately 90 organizations participated in the challenge, which covered a 2.4-mile course with a 1,970-foot elevation gain. Competitors aimed to either complete the course quickly or successfully transport delicate items like eggs and watermelons to the summit.
A four-legged robot created by Beijing Lingyi Technology, a subsidiary of Unitree, secured victory in the speed category, finishing the course in 43 minutes and 41 seconds. According to CCTV, most human visitors require at least two hours to complete the same route. The fastest humanoid robot, from Beijing-based Zhishen Lingyue, finished a shorter course in 27 minutes and 26 seconds.
Organizers described Mount Tai’s rocky landscape as an ideal environment for testing and refining robots for practical applications, as reported by local media.
The China Media Group, a state-run entity, hosted the competition, offering monetary rewards for top performers across various categories, including speed and load-carrying efficiency.
Source
“Robots strut their stuff, race up sacred China mountain, some carrying eggs and watermelons”
Read the original report ↗This story is an AI-assisted version of the original report, checked and edited by the Plainwire desk before publication. Read our editorial policy · Report an error
Read next
EU and Canada chart course for deeper partnership, face defining challenges
Montreal, Canada – The European Union and Canada have formally committed to forging an unprecedentedly close relationship, initiating a six-month…
Related
Caught up in five lines
The Brief: the day’s biggest stories, written by our desk at and .