Robot Dubbed 'Superman' Claims Speeds Exceeding Usain Bolt

Chinese robot manufacturer Unitree has unveiled a humanoid robot, nicknamed "Superman," which the company claims can achieve speeds faster than Usain Bolt and jump higher than any human record holder. The robot's capabilities were showcased in a video posted to X, garnering nearly a million views.

Unitree states that "Superman" was developed in three months and can high jump 2 meters (approximately 6.56 feet) and reach a top speed of 12.66 meters per second (about 28.3 mph). If verified, these figures would surpass the standing vertical jump record of 5 feet 7 inches set by Christopher Spell and Bolt's top sprinting speed of 12.2 meters per second (around 27 mph) achieved during his 2009 world record 100-meter dash. The company indicated that there is significant potential for further improvements.

![High jumping robot.]( "Superman" robot high jumping)

These demonstrations coincide with Unitree's upcoming debut on Shanghai's STAR Market, where it is set to become mainland China's first publicly traded general-purpose robotics company. The company recently raised over $904 million in an initial public offering. The robot's unveiling also precedes the 2026 World Robot Conference and the second World Humanoid Robot Games, both scheduled for August in Shanghai.

Unitree had a successful showing at last year's inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, winning four gold medals in various running events. The company suggested that "Superman" might be demonstrated at this year's competition.

However, the advanced physical capabilities of Unitree's robots have also raised concerns among experts regarding safety safeguards. Incidents have been reported, including a handler being kicked by a robot and a robot slapping a child during a demonstration. These events have led to discussions about the potential dangers if such robots malfunction in critical applications like elder care or babysitting. Computer scientists have warned that glitches in sophisticated robots could lead to serious consequences beyond mere embarrassment, potentially causing injury, property damage, or wider system failures.