Robot runs marathon in South Korea, apparently the first time this has happened

The South Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology has forced one of its robo-dogs to run a marathon.

The Boston Dynamics-esque quadrupedal walking robot became the first of its kind to complete a full-course marathon in an official event, according to a Sunday announcement from the Institute.

The race was the 22nd Sangju Dried-Persimmon Marathon, which Raibo2 finished in four hours, 19 minutes and 52 seconds. The (human) first place winner finished in two hours, 36 minutes, and 32 seconds.

Raibo2 completed the 26.2 miles (42.195km) course – which is notable for its nasty pair of 50m hills – on a single battery charge.

KAIST noted that the course and its elevation changes made it an especially demanding feat for a robo dog as "unexpected losses in efficiency could occur."

Raibo2 was trained for stable walking on terrains like slopes ...