Hi-tech robo-athletes are having their own Olympics

London, August 25 : While all eyes were set on the athletes participating in the Beijing Olympics, a Japanese firm was organising an athletic competition for radio-controlled humanoid robots in Tokyo.

Participants in the Robot Athletic Meet 2008, held in the Akihabara district, competed in a range of disciplines, including battling it out in the "sprint" over a distance of two meters.

Hundreds were on hand to cheer on the 15 bipedal competitors during the event, reports the Telegraph.

Akihabara is famous the world over as the home of the anime, gadgets, computer games, and manga that are purchased by technology freaks. It is renowned as the marketplace for the newest and most intricate gadgets and gizmos.

The district offers visitors an opportunity to test out various types of off-the-shelf robot, including walking them through a complicated maze.

The shops there have everything that one wanting to custom-build one's own imitation human would need.

Gripping hands, power packs, feet in various sizes, heads, wiring, and nuts and bolts are all on display.

ANI