Chinese humanoid robot sets new 100m sprint record at Beijing Games

A Chinese humanoid robot shattered the 100-meter sprint record at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Tuesday, reaching a lightning-fast 8.86 seconds. This marked the first time any robot had beaten the fastest recorded human time. The competition, now in its second year, serves as both a showcase for China's rapid strides in robotics and a technological rivalry against the U.S. The prior robot record stood at 9.39 seconds, set just three days earlier on Saturday.

For context, the men's 100-meter world record remains at 9.58 seconds, achieved by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009. Post the race, the robot faltered, tumbling over a padded barrier upon crossing the finish line, sparks emanating from its waist. The World Humanoid Robot Games feature more than 1,300 events and 2,000 robots, encompassing tasks such as running, long jump, table tennis, and even ballroom dancing.

Unlike conventional Olympics, these robots also compete in teams tackling real-world scenarios like household chores, hotel services, and emergency response. China's official newspaper, People's Daily, noted on Monday that "housekeeper" and "caregiver" robots are in the pilot and validation phases, "but challenges are precisely where the focus of development lies… China’s robotics industry is evolving toward higher quality and innovation."