The humanoid robot “Lightning,” developed by Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor, has completed a 100-meter sprint in 9.32 seconds, surpassing the world record set by renowned Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
China’s state broadcaster reported on Saturday, August 22, that the robot completed the distance during a trial race held in preparation for the World Humanoid Robot Games. The second edition of the competition also began in Beijing on Saturday.
According to the report, Lightning reached a speed of 14.5 meters per second during two test runs. Its 9.32-second time is faster than Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds, set in 2009 during the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.
Lightning had previously demonstrated its ability to move at speeds comparable to or faster than humans. In April, the robot completed the 21-kilometer Beijing Half Marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.
At the time of the half marathon, Lightning stood 169 centimeters tall, with legs measuring 95 centimeters in length. According to China’s state broadcaster, researchers extended the robot’s legs by 10 centimeters ahead of the World Humanoid Robot Games, bringing their length to 1.05 meters.
In recent years, China has promoted humanoid robots as a strategic and emerging industrial sector. Chinese officials and companies hope that advances in artificial intelligence and hardware will further expand the use of humanoid robots in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
