Chinese Humanoid Robot Tiangong Ultra Runs 100 Metres in 8.86 Seconds

A Chinese humanoid robot named Tiangong Ultra completed 100 metres in 8.86 seconds on 25 August 2026 at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.

The time was recorded in a large-size group semi-final at the National Speed Skating Oval. It improved on the 9.39 seconds the same robot set earlier in the event and sits well below the 9.58-second human world record held by Usain Bolt since 2009.

Tiangong Ultra is developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center. Organisers said the centre’s robots have already beaten four human world records at the games: the 100 m, a 400 m time of 38.15 seconds, a 1,500 m mark of 2 minutes 21.64 seconds, and a high jump of 2.88 metres.

On the opening day a rival robot from smartphone maker Honor, called Lightning, ran 9.47 seconds after earlier test runs of 9.32 seconds. Both machines lacked the controlled deceleration of human sprinters and ended by slamming into safety mats.

More than 2,000 robots from 666 teams are competing in the second edition of the games. The event coincides with the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, where companies displayed around 3,000 products.

Humanoid locomotion has advanced rapidly. Earlier in 2026 Lightning won a humanoid half-marathon in 50 minutes 26 seconds. Leg length and actuator power have been iteratively increased for the sprint events.

The results are primarily demonstration and engineering benchmarks rather than direct competition with human athletes. Power density, balance control, and impact absorption remain areas of active development. The Beijing centre’s claim of four human records underscores the pace of Chinese investment in the field.

No independent verification body equivalent to World Athletics has yet certified the times. The figures were released by the event organisers and the development centre. Video of the races has circulated widely.

For researchers the sub-nine-second 100 m marks a milestone in bipedal dynamic locomotion. Whether similar machines can sustain repeated efforts, navigate uneven terrain, or operate outside controlled arenas will determine practical applications in logistics, inspection and disaster response.

The games continue through the week. Further events in agility, manipulation and multi-robot coordination are scheduled.