Humanoid robots smash Usain Bolt’s 100-meter record

A milestone achievement in robotics was recorded at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, where machines surpassed the human benchmark for the 100-meter dash set by athletics legend Usain Bolt.

During a preliminary heat, Tiangong Ultra, a humanoid robot developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, completed the 100-meter distance in 9.39 seconds. In comparison, Usain Bolt set the unbroken human world record of 9.58 seconds at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009.

The competition also featured other high-performing machines, such as the Lightning robot developed by Honor, which finished the sprint in 9.47 seconds, showcasing the rapid evolution of mechanical speed and bipedal locomotion.

Such breakthroughs demonstrate significant advancements in hardware engineering, balance control, and actuator technology. Experts note that developing robots capable of high-speed running will pave the way for more agile machines applicable in industrial automation, logistics, and emergency response.

For the global tech audience, including regions like Central Asia and Uzbekistan where robotics is gaining momentum, this event highlights the accelerating convergence of AI and mechanical engineering. It serves as an inspiration for engineering students and tech enthusiasts looking toward the future of automation.