Chinese humanoid robots outpace Usain Bolt but crash: when will they enter our daily lives?

Beijing recently hosted the World Humanoid Robot Games, where over 2,000 robots from more than 600 teams, predominantly Chinese, showcased advanced capabilities. Held at the National Speed Skating Oval, a venue familiar from the 2022 Olympics, the competition featured a wide array of events, including athletics, tennis, tug-of-war, weightlifting, and five-a-side football.

Chinese humanoid robots demonstrated remarkable speed, with the Tiangong Ultra, developed by Honor, completing the 100-meter dash in 9.39 seconds. This performance edged past Usain Bolt's world record of 9.58 seconds. Records also fell in the 400-meter race and high jump, highlighting the machines' athletic potential. Notably, over 40% of the events required full autonomy, with no direct human piloting.

Despite these impressive feats, the robots' practical application in daily life and industry remains a challenge. The description notes that the machines are still fragile, and their widespread industrial use could be several years away. This suggests that while China is making significant strides in humanoid robotics, overcoming durability and reliability issues will be key to their future integration into society.