KABUL (Pajhwok): A Chinese humanoid robot has run 100 metres in 9.39 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, faster than Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second human world record set in 2009.
Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, won its preliminary heat on Saturday, Reuters reported.
Honor’s humanoid robot Lightning finished second in 9.47 seconds, also faster than Bolt’s record. Tiangong trailed early but overtook Lightning near the finish.
Both robots struggled after crossing the line. Tiangong stumbled towards the sidelines, while Lightning collapsed and was carried away on a stretcher.
The results marked a major improvement from last year, when Tiangong Ultra won the 100 metres in 21.50 seconds.
Earlier on Saturday, Chinese state media reported that Lightning had clocked 9.32 seconds in a preparatory test, reaching a top speed of 14.5 metres per second.
Lightning also won this year’s humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.
The 100-metre race is among 51 events at this year’s games, which also include football, dancing and industrial-task competitions.
The games have attracted 2,056 robots from 666 teams across 16 countries and six continents, up from 280 teams at last year’s inaugural event.
China has promoted humanoid robots as a strategic emerging industry, with companies investing in the technology for potential use in manufacturing, logistics and consumer applications.
The games are being held at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval and will continue through Wednesday.
sa
