Chinese Humanoid Robot Clocks 9.32 Seconds in 100-Metre Test, Faster Than Usain Bolt Record

A humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor ran 100 metres in 9.32 seconds during a test event in Beijing on August 22.

China’s state broadcaster reported the time. The robot, named Lightning, reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second. That is faster than the 9.58-second men’s world record set by Usain Bolt in 2009.

The run took place ahead of the second World Humanoid Robot Games, which opened in Beijing the same day. Lightning had already finished a 21-kilometre half-marathon in Beijing in April in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, faster than the human world-record pace.

Researchers lengthened the robot’s legs by 10 centimetres to 1.05 metres for the games. At the half-marathon it stood 169 centimetres tall with 95-centimetre legs.

China treats humanoid robots as a strategic emerging industry. Policymakers and companies expect advances in artificial intelligence and hardware to speed deployment in manufacturing, logistics and consumer uses.

Another robot from the Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics recorded 9.39 seconds in a formal race at the games. The event runs through August 26 and includes track, football, table tennis and household tasks. More than 2,000 robots from over 600 teams are taking part.