Faster Than Usain Bolt: Chinese Robot 'Superman' Hits 28 MPH

A Chinese robotics company, Unitree, has unveiled a humanoid robot prototype, nicknamed 'Superman,' which it claims can sprint faster than any recorded human. The company announced on Monday that the robot reached a top speed of 12.66 meters per second, equivalent to approximately 28.3 miles per hour or 45.6 kilometers per hour.

This reported speed surpasses the peak velocity of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who achieved an estimated 27.8 mph during his 2009 world record 100-meter dash. The 'Superman' robot also demonstrated the ability to leap 2 meters (6.6 feet) from a standing position. Unitree stated that the prototype was developed in just over three months and that its performance capabilities are expected to improve further.

The unveiling comes at a time when Chinese companies are significantly increasing their efforts to develop advanced humanoid robots. The robotics sector has been identified by Beijing as a strategic industry, fostering intense competition among firms vying for both domestic and international market share. Earlier in August, Unitree announced it had already produced around 18,000 bipedal humanoid robots, signaling a strong push towards mass production.

Unitree, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hangzhou, has established itself as a prominent global manufacturer of autonomous quadrupedal and humanoid robots. The company previously garnered international attention for its accessible robot dogs and increasingly sophisticated humanoid models. The announcement of the 'Superman' robot precedes Unitree's scheduled initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's STAR Market on Wednesday, a debut anticipated to attract significant investor interest.