Key facts
- A Chinese humanoid robot, Lightning, set a new 100-meter record of 9.32 seconds.
- This time is faster than Usain Bolt's human world record of 9.58 seconds.
- The robot competed at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
- Another robot, Tianzhuo, recorded a time of 9.39 seconds in a preliminary race at the same event.
- The games showcase robots performing various tasks, including athletic and domestic activities.
A Chinese humanoid robot named Lightning has achieved a new 100-meter dash record of 9.32 seconds, surpassing the previous human world record set by Usain Bolt at 9.58 seconds. The feat occurred during a practice run for the second World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing.
Another robot, Tianzhuo, developed by China's Beijing Innovation Centre of Humanoid Robotics, also broke the human record in a preliminary race at the games, clocking 9.39 seconds. This represents a significant leap in humanoid robot speed, as the best time at the previous year's games was 21.50 seconds.
The World Humanoid Robot Games feature various competitions, including athletic events like the 100-meter dash, as well as tasks such as boxing, football, and folding laundry, showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Lightning, standing 169 centimeters tall with legs initially measuring 95 centimeters, had its leg length extended to 1.05 meters prior to the games. The robot had previously won the Beijing half-marathon in April with a time of 50 minutes and 26 minutes, significantly faster than the human world record.