Chariots of wire: China flexes humanoid robot muscle at National Games with torch relay
Kuavo is the latest humanoid to carry the torch for China’s robotics ambitions, running 100 metres to pass the baton at the National Games
In a world first, China has taken further strides in showcasing its prowess in robotics and artificial intelligence after a humanoid robot completed a torch relay segment with lifelike running movements.
The 1.47-metre-tall biped, named Kuavo, ran about 100 metres while holding a 1.6kg torch in its right hand.
It received the flame from retired badminton champion Yu Yang at Shenzhen’s Civic Centre on Sunday and passed it to the next runner, Wang Yuning, a local high school student with a passion for rocket science.
While this was not the first time robots have joined a games relay, none of the previous displays could hold a torch to Kuavo.
A bipedal machine featured at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea’s Pyeongchang, but its role was largely a controlled demonstration – walking briefly and cutting through a wall on cue.
Robots were showcased at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic relay and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics – the first using a wheeled design and the second an underwater model – however, neither matched Kuavo’s advanced autonomy, stability or motion control.