Skiing robots get their own Winter Olympics and steal the show
- Published
These skiing robots were competing for a $10,000 prize
You might be glued to the TV watching Winter Olympians achieve greatness, but there’s another feat taking place a mere hour away from Pyeongchang, South Korea – the world’s first Ski Robot Challenge.
Robots have already played a part in these Olympic Games – they’ve driven cars, external and they’ve even drilled through a wall to hand over the Olympic torch - but now they're taking centre stage.
While some of their human counterparts were forced off the slopes, external by windy weather this week, nothing could stop the eight humanoid robots as they raced down a 70m slope.
The South Korean government organised the event which saw eight robotic teams from universities, institutions and a private company battle it out for a prize of $10,000. Sure, it’s not a gold medal, but we’d take it.
The robots slalomed down the slope more smoothly than some of us in possession of a beating heart could ever dream of:
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There was strict entry criteria for the robots, including a minimum height of 50cm, the ability to stand on two “legs” with joints resembling elbows and knees, and, crucially, skis and poles attached.
Robots of all kinds took part in the event:
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They modelled an interesting mix of outfits. We particularly like this ensemble, complete with sleek helmet, modelled by a participant:
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Another robot, Rudolph, seemed to have either forgotten its trousers or wanted extra points for braving the chill.
Robots navigated the slopes using camera sensors to detect the blue and red flagpoles in their path. That was the idea, anyway.
Unfortunately, the sensors weren’t sensitive enough for some:
Organiser Kim Dong-Uk told Reuters, external he believes it won't be long before robots will be sharing a podium with human olympians. “I think robots will have their own Winter Games on the sidelines of the Olympics held by humans,” he said.
We're not sure we like the sound of that.
Because if it does happen, we can probably say hasta la vista to our medals.
