Robot Sprinter Stuns in Beijing, Clocking 9.39 Seconds to Beat Usain Bolt’s 100m Mark

Usain Bolt’s iconic 100-metre world record has been challenged by an unlikely competitor — a humanoid robot.

At the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, Chinese humanoid robot Tiangong Ultra completed the 100-metre sprint in 9.39 seconds during a preliminary heat on Saturday. The timing was faster than Bolt’s men’s world record of 9.58 seconds, set in Berlin in 2009.

Bolt first made global headlines with his 9.69-second 100m world record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before lowering it to 9.58 seconds a year later.

ROBOTS OUTPACE BOLT — BUT WITH A CATCH

Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, won its heat with the remarkable time.

Honor’s humanoid robot Lightning also crossed the line in under 9.58 seconds, finishing second in 9.47 seconds.

However, the robotic performances came with a dramatic twist. Neither machine managed to finish like a conventional athlete.

Tiangong Ultra lost its balance after crossing the finish line and veered towards the sidelines, prompting spectators to move away. Lightning also collapsed after completing the race and had to be carried away on a stretcher.

The unusual finishes highlighted the difference between a robot recording a sprint time and a human athlete completing the same distance under conventional racing conditions.

MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN JUST ONE YEAR

Despite the chaotic finish, the performances represented a huge improvement for Tiangong Ultra.

At last year’s inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, the robot won the 100-metre event in 21.50 seconds. It also claimed victory in the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon, held in Beijing last year.

Lightning had also shown impressive speed before Saturday’s race. Chinese state media reported that it clocked 9.32 seconds during a preparatory test, reaching a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second.

The robot went on to win this year’s half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. Researchers reportedly modified Lightning ahead of the games by extending its legs by 10 centimetres. The robot stands 1.69 metres tall and its legs were lengthened to 1.05 metres.

HUMANOID ROBOTS TAKE ON 51 EVENTS

The second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games features 51 events showcasing different capabilities of humanoid machines.

The competition includes athletics alongside football, dancing and industrial-task contests.

While the 9.39-second run cannot be directly compared with Bolt’s officially recognised human world record, the dramatic improvement in robotic sprinting demonstrates how rapidly humanoid technology is advancing.