Chinese-Made Humanoid Robot Sets World Record Running 100 Meters in 8.86 Seconds

A Chinese-made humanoid robot competing at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing completed the 100-meter race in 8.86 seconds, setting a new record in the robot category and surpassing the human record held by Usain Bolt.

Record Run and Technical Progress

At the second annual World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, a Chinese-made humanoid robot clocked a time of 8.86 seconds in the 100-meter race held on Tuesday. The previous record among robots had been set just three days earlier on Saturday at 9.39 seconds. The latest mark also surpassed the men's 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009.

Expert Evaluations and Emphasis on Safety

Dennis Hong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), noted that as speed increases, balance, control, impacts, actuator performance, and mechanical durability become more challenging. Commenting on the robot, which crashed into barriers after the race and sparked from its waist, Hong emphasized that a robot's ability to move, stop safely, and recognize obstacles is decisive for its ultimate usefulness.

The Event and the Industry's Future

In its second year, the event features over 2,000 robots competing in more than 1,300 contests across 51 different categories, including running, long jump, table tennis, and ballroom dancing. Differing from traditional games, real-life scenarios such as household services, hotel service, and emergency response are also included in the competitions. China's official newspaper, People's Daily, noted that caretaking and housework robots are still in the verification phase, but the sector is developing with a focus on innovation.