🤖 World’s first man vs robot race, Trump declares energy emergency, China’s secret missile hits Mach 9

China plans to host a groundbreaking race like no other — a “world’s first” half-marathon where humans will go head-to-head with their own creation: humanoid robots.

The South China Morning Post reported that the marathon is scheduled for April in Daxing district, Beijing.

The humanoid robots, developed by companies from around the globe, will take to the streets alongside 12,000 human runners. The robots will run the entire race for the very first time this year. Delve deeper into our Must-Read.

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> Manager, Software Engineering - ServiceNow
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MUST-READ

🤖 Humans vs. humanoids: China plans world’s first race pitting man against robots

This unprecedented race reflects China’s ambitious push to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics. Reportedly, this first-of-its-kind race will see humans and robots challenge themselves on a 13-mile (21 km) route. The top three runners will receive prizes.

As per the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, companies, research institutions, robotics clubs, and universities worldwide will participate in the marathon with their humanoid robots.

A key requirement is that the robots must possess a human-like appearance. Moreover, they should be equipped with a mechanical structure that allows them to perform movements such as walking or running on two legs, excluding wheeled locomotion.

⚡️ ‘Drill, baby, drill’: Trump declares energy emergency, eyes Mars mission

In a historic return to the White House, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, gathering thousands of supporters on the National Mall.

His inaugural address outlined a bold vision for America, including ambitious plans for space exploration, energy independence, and job creation, while vowing to restore what he described as a “true American spirit.”

One of the president’s most striking promises focuses on sending American astronauts to Mars in his inaugural address, imagining a moment when the U.S. flag will be planted on Martian soil.

🚀 China’s secret missile hits 9 times the speed of sound to withstand 2,192°F test

China has reportedly completed heat-resistant testing of new air-to-air hypersonic missiles in its Mars Mission tunnel facility. This is interesting in and of itself, but it appears to be the first official confirmation of such a weapon’s existence in China’s arsenal.

The testing was conducted in similar conditions to those expected from friction during hypersonic flight, with the missile experiencing stringent performance requirements set by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

The Mars Mission tunnel is reportedly an example of an arc-heated wind tunnel capable of generating extreme temperatures. To date, China is known to have developed Mach 5 hypersonic missiles, but these have been primarily designed for hitting ground or sea-based targets. 

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