A Chinese humanoid robot has stunned spectators at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, after running 100 metres in 9.39 seconds, beating Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second men’s world record.
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, won its preliminary heat at the second edition of the games on Saturday.
The robot initially trailed Honor’s Lightning before accelerating past its rival near the finish line. Lightning crossed the line in 9.47 seconds, also faster than Bolt’s record, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
However, the robotic performance lacked the smoothness associated with elite human sprinting. Tiangong Ultra stumbled dramatically after crossing the finish line and crashed toward the sidelines, forcing spectators to move out of its path. Lightning also collapsed and had to be carried away on a stretcher.
Despite the chaotic finish, the results represented a major improvement from last year’s inaugural competition, when Tiangong Ultra won the 100 metres in 21.50 seconds.
Lightning had earlier recorded an even faster time of 9.32 seconds during a preparatory test, according to Chinese state media, reaching a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second.
The robot also won this year’s humanoid half-marathon in Beijing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. Its researchers reportedly lengthened its legs from 95 centimetres to 1.05 metres ahead of the games to improve its performance.
The 100-metre race is one of 51 events at the World Humanoid Robot Games, which also feature football, dancing and industrial-task competitions.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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