Report: Over 125,000 USB Condoms Were Used At Robot Olympics

ERROL PAKRER | Editor-at-large | Contac

More than 125,000 USB condoms were used during this year’s World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, according to figures released by event organisers.

The devices, which allow electrical power to pass through a USB connection while blocking data transfer, were distributed throughout charging areas and athlete accommodations to reduce the risk of malware and unauthorised firmware exchanges.

More than 2,000 robots from 666 teams representing 16 countries competed in events including sprinting, European-rules football, martial arts and household chores.

It was revealed earlier this week that organisers initially ordered 80,000 USB condoms but requested additional shipments after supplies ran low midway through the competition. Officials cautioned against using the figures to estimate the number of connections made during the Games.

"It would be irresponsible to divide 125,000 by the number of participating robots and draw conclusions about individual machines," said one official.

"The Australian household chore team went through over 50 each per day. Say what you want about men doing the vacuuming, the proof is in the pudding!"

Several teams and nations welcomed the precaution.

"The last thing you want is for your robot to come home with something because it plugged into an unfamiliar port," said one UK-based robotics engineer.

Officials reported no confirmed cases of robot-to-robot malware transmission.

One suspected chlamydia infection in a French robot was later traced to a human, who had since left the country.

More to come.