China’s humanoid robots smash sprint records at World Robot Games in Beijing

Beijing, Aug 23 - Cloned humans with no faces sprinted faster than their living counterparts, dazzling crowds at the World Robot Games in China's capital. Dozens of androids and their human handlers descended upon Beijing's Olympic speed skating rink on Sunday to compete in a variety of fields, from athletics to martial arts. On Saturday, a Chinese robot shattered the world record for the 100-meter dash, clocking in at 9.39 seconds - a feat that eclipsed Jamaican legend Usain Bolt's 2009 record of 9.58 seconds.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the white, headless humanoid named Tiangong Ultra completed the sprint in 9.39 seconds, outpacing Bolt's previous record. The following day, the same robot model set another record by nearly five seconds, finishing the 400-meter race in 38.15 seconds. The robot, developed by a research center backed by the local government in Beijing, completed the 400-meter heat with its arms flailing as it sprinted around the track.

Despite falling dangerously forward, the robot managed to stay upright. The robot's wobbly performance elicited laughter from spectators, with some robots being unable to start, while others struggled to keep pace with the human runners. Children and their parents giggled as a toddler-sized robot kicked a football, while others stumbled and fell motionless until human intervention.

While the robot's performances were met with applause, 72-year-old spectator Hou Yali expressed her desire to see robots perform tasks beyond speed, such as household chores or personal assistance. "We'll be able to see more clearly whether machines can surpass humans," she said.