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China's humanoid robot shatters Usain Bolt's 100m record, but experts see limits

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Chinese humanoid robot, Tiangong Ultra, broke Usain Bolt's 100-meter sprint record by running it in 8.64 seconds.
  • While the robot achieved a higher average speed, experts point out its slower start and different mechanics compared to human sprinters.
  • The advancement highlights both the potential of robots and their current limitations in areas like decision-making and perception.

A humanoid robot developed in China has achieved a remarkable feat, shattering Usain Bolt's 100-meter sprint world record. The Tiangong Ultra humanoid completed the distance in 8.64 seconds, significantly faster than Bolt's 9.58-second record, reaching an average speed of nearly 42 kph.

It is a remarkable advancement in technology where humanoids can keep balance and sprint at a speed that humans can’t catch up with.

— Jung Moon-hyunA sports science professor at South Korea’s Chungnam National University, commenting on the robot's speed and balance.

This technological milestone showcases the rapid advancements in robotics, particularly in achieving balance and speed that surpasses human capabilities. However, sport science experts observe crucial differences between the robot's performance and Bolt's record-breaking run. These distinctions reveal both the strengths of robotic technology and its current shortcomings.

One key difference lies in the start of the race. Bolt's explosive start from the blocks, with a reaction time of 0.146 seconds, allowed him to generate significant horizontal force. The Tiangong Ultra, in contrast, begins from an upright posture and reportedly waited almost a full second to move in its first record run, possibly failing to register the starting signal. Experts suggest that if robots could utilize starting blocks, their speeds could increase dramatically.

If they could use starting blocks, I could see them getting a lot faster.

— Iain HunterProfessor of exercise science at Brigham Young University and a sport scientist with USA Track and Field, discussing the robot's start.

Despite the slower start, the robot's advantages become apparent in its running mechanics. Developers redesigned parts of the robot's torso and waist to reduce weight and improve efficiency. Enhanced motors, range of motion, and control software contribute to its performance. The robot takes more steps than Bolt, but each step is significantly faster, reflecting a gait optimized for its mechanical capabilities rather than mimicking human sprinting. This approach, with smaller, choppier steps, also aids in maintaining balance, preventing falls that could occur with wider strides.

They try to increase speed, but if the stride becomes too wide, they will fall.

— Parunchaya JamkrajangA sports scientist at Thailand’s Mahidol University, explaining the benefit of smaller steps for robot balance.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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