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Day 6: Evolta Robot on the home stretch

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

With Sunday quickly approaching, so is the finish line for the Evolta Robot.

As of 11 p.m. Friday, the robot was less than 18 miles from its goal of finishing the Ironman triathlon course in 168 hours. Because the robot is 1/10th human size, the challenge was designed to allow the robot 10 times the usual, or 168 hours.

After ploughing through rain overnight, which slowed down the robot and meant extra maintenance, the robot and its crew left Alii Drive and headed out to NELHA.

Among the Tweets on Friday:

* What a fluke! Just when I was about to charge up and get maintenanced, it starts to rain! How lucky

* All the muck on the wet road gets me stuck sometimes! But the staffs know what to do :) You guys are the best!

* I’ve passed the South-most turning point for the run!! Feeling real good

* God!! Debris keeps getting stuck in my shoe!! Maintenance time!!

* Getting a lot cheering! Gonna charge up on positive energy!!

* We’re in Kailua-Kona now! Many people are here to cheer me on! So happy

* I had to jaywalk to cross the road! Sorry, and thanks for waiting :)

* This uphill is killing me!

* Just conquered the most killer hill of this challenge! Woohoo :) Downhills from here baby

* Going down hills is easier than taking a nap

The Evolta Robots are taking on one of the world’s toughest Ironman courses this week, following more than 1,900 triathletes who competed earlier this month at the Ironman World Championship.

Built by Takahashi, the trio of robots are specifically designed to tackle each of the three triathlon disciplines. The swimmer robot finished the 2.4-mile ocean swim about 90 minutes ahead of schedule Sunday evening.

The challenge is testing three AA rechargeable Panasonic batteries. The robot and crews are stopping only to charge up the batteries in the support van and then getting right back on the course.

Follow the robots’ progress and check out the live streaming video at: http://panasonic.jp/charge/evolta/challenge/2011_e/index.html

Follow the robot on Twitter: @EVOLTA_Robot

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