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technology

Robots Break Usain Bolt's 100-Meter Record

Monday, August 24, 2026 · 1 sources

Chinese robots participating in the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have broken Usain Bolt's 100-meter dash record. The robots, Tiangong Ultra and Lightning, completed the distance in 9.39 and 9.47 seconds, respectively.

A new record has been set in the 100-meter dash, but it wasn't by a human. Tiangong Ultra, a robot made by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, ran the distance in 9.39 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday. This time beats the 9.58-second record set by Usain Bolt in 2009. Another robot, Lightning, developed by Honor, came in second with a time of 9.47 seconds. The event was a preliminary heat, showcasing the capabilities of humanoid robots in competitive sports. The World Humanoid Robot Games feature various competitions, including running, to test the agility and speed of robots. The achievement demonstrates significant advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. The robots' performance has sparked interest in the potential of humanoid robots in various applications, including sports and beyond. The record-breaking run has also raised questions about the future of competitive sports and the role of robots in these events.

Go Deeper

What is the World Humanoid Robot Games?

The World Humanoid Robot Games is an event that features various competitions to test the capabilities of humanoid robots, including running, to evaluate their agility and speed.

Who developed the record-breaking robots?

The robots, Tiangong Ultra and Lightning, were developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center and Honor, respectively.

What was the previous record for the 100-meter dash?

The previous record for the 100-meter dash was 9.58 seconds, set by Usain Bolt in 2009.

What does this achievement demonstrate?

The record-breaking run demonstrates significant advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, showcasing the potential of humanoid robots in various applications.

What are the potential implications of robots in competitive sports?

The achievement has raised questions about the future of competitive sports and the role of robots in these events, potentially leading to new developments and innovations in the field.