A Chinese humanoid robot ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds [1], beating the human world record set by Usain Bolt.
The achievement marks a significant leap in robotics, demonstrating that synthetic machines can now replicate and exceed the peak physical speed of elite human athletes.
The robot, developed by the Beijing Center for Humanoid Robotics Innovation, competed during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing [2]. The sprint occurred on Aug. 22 [3]. While some sources refer to the machine as "Flash," it is primarily identified as Tiangong Ultra [1, 3].
Tiangong Ultra's time of 9.39 seconds [1] is faster than the 9.58 seconds [4] recorded by Usain Bolt in 2009 [4]. Bolt, who holds eight Olympic gold medals [4], has long defined the limit of human sprinting capability.
The event was designed to showcase technological milestones in humanoid robotics speed [1, 2]. The developers said the goal was to prove that the robot's balance and propulsion systems could handle the extreme forces required for world-class sprinting.
Despite the speed, the mark does not replace the official human world record [5]. The distinction remains between biological athletic achievements and mechanical performance. The robot's success is viewed as a demonstration of engineering rather than a sporting victory.
The Beijing Center for Humanoid Robotics Innovation used the games to highlight advances in synthetic movement. The sprint required precise synchronization of the robot's actuators to maintain stability at high speeds, a common failure point for previous humanoid models.
“A Chinese humanoid robot ran 100 meters in 9.39 seconds.”
This milestone suggests a shift in humanoid development from basic mobility to high-performance athletics. While the robot cannot compete in human sporting events, the technology used to achieve this speed—specifically in balance and rapid actuation—has direct applications for emergency response and industrial robots that must navigate complex environments quickly.
