PyeongChang 2018: World's first ski robot tournament held

The world's first robot ski tournament was held on the sidelines of this year's Winter Olympics, currently under way in PyeongChang, the Republic of Korea, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier in the day, eight humanoid robots participated in the competition, which took place at Welli Hilli Park in Gangwon province, the news agency quoted the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as saying.

According to the ministry the tournament, co-hosted by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, aimed to promote the country's advanced robotic technology to the world.

Eight teams participated in the event, including researchers from major universities such as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Seoul National University of Science and Technology.

The robots were rated for their speed and maneuverability and, depending on the competition, their ability to come down the slopes without human intervention, the ministry said. Robots could only be manipulated by their operators at the outset.

The ministry, meanwhile, said the various help robots placed at venues, athletes' villages and the press centre are playing a role in the successful hosting of the Winter Olympics, which will run through February 25.

 VNA