Chinese company unveils humanoid running robot with large-scale commercial potential

Tiangong, a humanoid robot described as the world's first full-sized humanoid robot capable of running solely on electric drive, was unveiled in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area on Saturday, coinciding with the reveal of several AI technological breakthroughs at the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum).

Tiangong can maintain a steady speed of six kilometers per hour. Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Company, the robot is an independently developed humanoid robot platform poised for broader industry adoption.

Standing at 163 centimeters tall and weighing only 43 kilograms, Tiangong is equipped with multiple visual perception sensors and boasts a computing power of 550 trillion operations per second.

Tiangong has already demonstrated human-like running capabilities and offers open-source compatibility for further expansion, facilitating broader commercial applications, according to a developer briefing.

The company, officially registered within the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, was jointly established by enterprises that make complete robots, core components and large models of robots, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Several AI robot products, including the intelligent humanoid Tongtong developed by the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, were unveiled at the ZGC Forum, a state-level event for global exchanges and cooperation showcasing China's rapid development in cutting-edge innovation and technologies.

AI technological advancements showcased at the ZGC Forum, including the intelligent humanoid Tongtong, left a strong impression, exceeding expectations, remarked Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh, the founding Executive Director of Cambridge's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, during the event. "I am quite optimistic about the prospects of the Chinese AI industrial sector. One of the things that China has excelled at is developing AI in a way that integrates into everyday life, providing meaningful and useful tools to people," Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh said.