{
  "id": 2745235,
  "title": "Robots can outrun humans, but can they plug in a cable?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/robots-can-outrun-humans-but-can-they-plug-in-a-cable-2745235",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-23T07:38:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/insight/2026/08/1517172/robots-can-outrun-humans-can-they-plug-cable"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China's humanoid robots are showcasing their speed, having outrun humans in the 100-metre sprint for the first time. The five-day World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing began on Saturday, featuring events that blend human sports with tests of robots' abilities in simulated real-world settings. Out of 51 events, 30 are sports competitions and 21 are scenario-based contests.\n\nOver 40% of the games require robots to operate independently. Two robots recently sprinted faster than Usain Bolt's world record time in the 100-metre race. However, braking issues arose when the robots hit a thick mat placed after the finish line.\n\nRobotics investor Xu Qiaosheng noted that the competition is more intense this year, posing significant challenges to the robots' battery management and thermal dissipation capabilities. The humanoid robots will participate in tug-of-war, weightlifting, Tai Chi, and even throwing arrow-like sticks into narrow-necked vases – a Chinese sport with a futuristic twist.\n\nWhile the spectacle is impressive, the real test lies in how the robots perform in small, imperfect scenarios. This will determine whether they can identify objects, position their hands and bodies accurately, apply controlled force, and recover from errors without human intervention. Lumos Robotics CEO Yu Chao emphasized that the games can help improve hardware and provide a platform for showcasing the industry's potential. However, the longer-term value depends on the robots' ability to solve real-world problems. The events will also include EV charging, restaurant work, emergency incident handling, and hand-dexterity contests, along with industrial assembly and material loading tasks. A cable connection challenge will test the robots' vision, mechanical alignment, and force control.\n\nFor Hua Rong, Zeroth's chief marketing officer, the true test lies in whether the product can solve users' problems after it's sold, following the demonstration phase.",
  "summary": "BEIJING: China’s humanoid robots have shown they can run quicker than the fastest humans.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chinese humanoid robots sprint faster than Usain Bolt's world record in 100-metre race",
    "Battery management and thermal dissipation pose challenges for robots in competition",
    "Cable connection challenge tests robots' vision, mechanical alignment, and force control"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Robots can outrun humans, but can they plug in a cable?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/robots-can-outrun-humans-but-can-they-plug-in-a-cable",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:06:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Robots can outrun humans, but can they plug in a cable?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/robots-can-outrun-humans-but-can-they-plug-in-a-cable-2735647",
        "published": "2026-08-23T05:54:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}