South Korean Robot Makes History by Completing Full Marathon

A quadrupedal robot developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has become the first of its kind to complete a full marathon, marking a significant milestone in robotics technology.

The robot, named Raibo2, finished the 2024 Sangju Persimmon Marathon’s full course (42.195 km) in 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds on November 17 at the Sangju Citizen’s Stadium in North Gyeongsang Province.

The achievement was announced by a KAIST research team led by professor Hwangbo Jemin from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The Sangju Persimmon Marathon course presents significant challenges even for amateur human runners, featuring two hills with elevations of approximately 50 meters at the 14 km and 28 km marks.

For walking robots, such a course poses unique difficulties as they must withstand periodic vibrations caused by ground impact during locomotion.

he latest version of Raibo2 can walk continuously for 43 km on a single charge, more than doubling the previous record of 20 km set by other quadrupedal robots.

“This demonstration proves Raibo2′s capability to perform delivery and patrol services in urban environments,” said doctoral candidate Lee Chung-in, a co-first author of the research. “Our next step is to enhance Raibo’s autonomous navigation capabilities and work toward achieving world-leading walking performance in mountainous and disaster-stricken environments.”

Source : http://koreabizwire.com/south-korean-robot-makes-history-by-completing-full-marathon/297800

Comprehension

What is Raibo2, and who developed it?
What milestone did Raibo2 achieve during the 2024 Sangju Persimmon Marathon?
How long did it take Raibo2 to complete the marathon?
What challenges does the Sangju Persimmon Marathon course present for runners and robots?
What was Raibo2’s performance improvement compared to other quadrupedal robots?
What future goals do the researchers have for Raibo2’s capabilities?

Discussion

How does completing a marathon demonstrate the capabilities of a quadrupedal robot like Raibo2?
What are some practical applications for robots with advanced walking capabilities?
Do you think robots like Raibo2 could play a role in disaster response efforts? Why?
What challenges might researchers face when developing robots for use in urban or mountainous environments?
How could the ability to complete long distances on a single charge benefit industries like delivery or security?
What might be some limitations of Raibo2 in real-world scenarios, despite its accomplishments?
How does this achievement compare to the development of humanoid robots?
What ethical considerations should researchers keep in mind as robots become more capable?
How could advancements in robotics technology like Raibo2 influence human labor markets?
Do you think there should be regulations governing the use of advanced robots in public spaces? Why?

Vocabulary

Quadrupedal - using four legs for movement.
Milestone - a significant achievement or point in development.
Vibrations - rapid oscillations or movements.
Autonomous - capable of operating independently without human control.
Navigation - the process of determining and following a route or path.
Locomotion - the ability to move from one place to another.
Disaster-stricken - severely affected by a natural or man-made disaster.
Enhance - to improve or increase the quality or performance of something.
Environment - the surrounding conditions in which an activity or process occurs.
Urban - relating to a city or densely populated area.