Robot triumphantly completing a marathon now begins testing sneakers in Chinese workshops
The Taiwan Cooperative Research Institute, in collaboration with UBTech Robotics and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre (X-Humanoid), has developed a groundbreaking humanoid robot named Tien Kung. This robot is making waves in the world of footwear and sports, as it is now testing running shoes for the next generation of footwear.
Tien Kung, priced at 299,000 yuan ($41,200), is designed to target research labs and developers. It has demonstrated impressive capabilities, including climbing 134 stairs continuously, absorbing impacts without losing balance, and handling warehouse logistics tasks.
One of Tien Kung's most significant contributions is its ability to deliver repeatable results within hours, unlike traditional shoe testing methods that require multiple sessions across weeks. This efficiency could speed up the shoe design cycle and reduce costs significantly.
Tien Kung is equipped with running shoes and put to the test on a 3D force treadmill and a 200-meter indoor track at the Li-Ning Sports Science Research Center in Beijing. Sensors embedded in its hips, knees, and ankles track detailed biomechanical information during the runs, gathering data on cushioning, rebound, and other performance indicators.
This data is nearly impossible to capture with human athletes, making Tien Kung an invaluable tool for R&D. The partners aim to create a professional running shoe database from this data, which can be used for R&D and consumer purposes.
In April, Tien Kung Ultra, a variant of Tien Kung, completed a half-marathon in Beijing, showcasing its endurance. After the race, Tien Kung Ultra showed no signs of fatigue and was guided towards the awards area by human runners. This win hinted at broader applications in sports and beyond.
Yang Fan, senior director of the Li-Ning center, stated that humanoid robots are now preliminarily capable of running in a human-like way. This encourages the application of humanoid robots to product development, potentially revolutionising various industries.
The testing and development of Tien Kung are set to continue, marking a significant step forward in the integration of humanoid robots into product development and the sports industry.
Read also:
- User Data Analysis on Epic Games Store
- Rachel Reeves conducts a discussion with Scott Bessent and financial executives, focusing on investment matters
- Strategic approach to eco-friendly nickel production for electric vehicles in Europe
- Week 39/24 Highlights: Tesla CEO's visit, Robo-taxi buzz, Full Self-Driving study, Affordable electric cars, and European pricing less than €30,000
