Chinese Humanoid Robot Runs 100m In 9.32 Seconds, Beats Bolt’s Record

A Chinese humanoid robot named Lightning has reportedly run 100 metres in 9.32 seconds, beating Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record.

The robot, developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, achieved the feat during a preparatory test ahead of the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

According to China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, Lightning reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second during the run.

The 9.32-second time is faster than the 9.58 seconds recorded by Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, where he set the men’s 100-metre world record.

However, Lightning’s performance does not constitute an official athletics record, as the robot was not competing under the rules governing human athletes.

The development is the latest demonstration of China’s rapid progress in humanoid robotics, with the country increasingly promoting the technology for use in industries including manufacturing, logistics and consumer applications.

Lightning had previously attracted attention in April after winning a 21-kilometre humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. The time was faster than the human men’s half-marathon world record, although the robot event was conducted separately from human competition.

The robot stands 1.69 metres tall and was fitted with longer legs ahead of the humanoid robot games to improve its running performance.

The second World Humanoid Robot Games, which begin in Beijing on Saturday, will feature robots competing in various sporting events as well as tasks designed to demonstrate their practical capabilities.

Lightning’s latest sprint performance highlights the rapid advances being made in humanoid robotics and the increasing ability of machines to replicate, and in some cases surpass, human physical performance under controlled conditions.