Humanoid Robot Shatters Usain Bolt's 100-Meter Record at Beijing Games
A robot named Lightning Bolt completed the race in 9.39 seconds, highlighting China's advancements in robotics.
A Chinese humanoid robot has bested Usain Bolt's 100-meter dash record, clocking in at 9.39 seconds during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The robot, named Lightning Bolt, surpassed the Jamaican sprinter's 2009 record of 9.58 seconds. Another humanoid robot from the smartphone company Honor reportedly achieved a time of 9.32 seconds during a trial run.
The World Humanoid Robot Games, now in its second year, features over 2,000 robots participating in 51 events, including running, table tennis, and soccer. The event, held at the National Speed Skating Oval, showcases China's rapid progress in robotics amid a global technology race.
In addition to speed, the robots demonstrated other athletic capabilities. One humanoid robot achieved a standing high jump of 2.88 meters, significantly exceeding the previous human record of 2.45 meters set by Javier Sotomayor in 1993. Spectators expressed awe at the rapidly improving abilities of the robots.
Despite these advancements, the robots encountered limitations. After completing the 100-meter race, the robots, including Lightning Bolt, crashed into a blue wall and required stretchers for removal, a stark contrast to Bolt's post-race victory lap.
The games coincide with the 2026 World Robot Conference, where numerous companies are exhibiting around 3,000 products, further emphasizing China's position in the robotics sector. The event includes participation from 16 countries, including Germany, Japan, and the U.S.
In parallel with these technological developments, the U.S. has increased scrutiny of robots manufactured in China, which produces the majority of the world's humanoid robots. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of new foreign-made humanoid robots, citing unacceptable risks to national security and the safety of U.S. persons. FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated that the commission is adding foreign-produced advanced robotics to the FCC’s Covered List, acting in concert with national security agencies to secure critical supply chains.