Chinese robot 'defeats' Usain Bolt's 100m record

A humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor has "defeated" sprint legend Usain Bolt, completing a 100-meter race in 9.32 seconds. The robot, known as Lightning, reached a top speed of 14.5 meters per second during a test event in preparation for the second World Robot Games in Beijing.

Lightning's time shattered Bolt's 2009 world record of 9.58 seconds. This achievement highlights China's strategic focus on developing humanoid robots, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and hardware technology. Companies and policymakers see accelerated use in manufacturing, logistics, and consumer applications.

This is not Lightning's first notable performance. In April, the robot won the Beijing half-marathon, covering 21 kilometers in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, outpacing elite human runners. Researchers have since extended its leg length by 10 centimeters to 1.05 meters to further enhance its performance for the upcoming World Robot Games, according to China Central Television.