A humanoid robot developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center completed a 100-meter sprint in 9.39 seconds during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The time recorded by the robot, named Tiangong Ultra, surpasses the human world record of 9.58 seconds set by Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Tiangong Ultra and Lightning Outpace Human Sprint Records
Lightning finished the heat with a time of 9.47 seconds, which also beats Bolt’s longstanding human benchmark. Earlier on the same Saturday, state media reported that Lightning logged a 100-meter time of 9.32 seconds during a pre-competition test, reaching a top speed of 14.5 meters per second.
The current performances demonstrate a substantial leap in bipedal robotics compared to the inaugural event held the previous year. According to event records, Tiangong Ultra won the 100-meter category at the first robot games with a time of 21.50 seconds. The same machine also secured a win in the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing last year.
Scale and Scope of the Beijing Robot Games
The international competition brings together 2,056 robots representing 666 teams from 16 countries, according to organizers. The schedule includes traditional sporting events such as football and dance, alongside specialized trials focusing on industrial tasks.
Did you know? Last year’s winning time for Tiangong Ultra on the 100-meter track was 21.50 seconds, meaning the robot shaved more than 12 seconds off its own performance within a single year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the exact time recorded by Tiangong Ultra?
Tiangong Ultra ran the 100-meter distance in 9.39 seconds during the World Humanoid Robot Games.
How does the robot time compare to Usain Bolt’s record?
The robot’s time is 0.19 seconds faster than Usain Bolt’s human world record of 9.58 seconds, which was set in Berlin in 2009.
How many robots are competing in the Beijing games?
The event features 2,056 robots from 666 teams hailing from 16 different countries.
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