Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt's 100m world record

In a stunning display at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, a robot has officially surpassed Usain Bolt's iconic 100-meter sprint record. The robot, developed by China's X-Humanoid team and named 'Blitz,' completed the distance in an astonishing 9.39 seconds during the competition's opening ceremony.

This new record shatters Bolt's previous best of 9.58 seconds, a mark that has stood for years. The achievement highlights the rapid advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, particularly within China, which has designated embodied AI as a future industry. The event saw the robot spectacularly crash into a safety wall after crossing the finish line.

This is not the first time a robot has challenged Bolt's record. Earlier, a robot model from Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor, also reportedly named 'Blitz,' had clocked a time of 9.32 seconds, according to Chinese state television. That same Honor robot had previously set a half-marathon record, covering approximately 21 kilometers in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.

The World Humanoid Robot Games, now in its second edition, features over 660 teams and 2,000 robots from 16 countries competing in various disciplines until August 26. Events range from traditional athletic feats like long jump and weightlifting to team sports like football and everyday tasks such as household chores and rescue operations. China is heavily investing in this sector, aiming to reduce technological dependence on foreign countries and foster new economic growth engines, though some experts warn of potential oversupply and price wars, similar to the electric vehicle industry.