A Chinese humanoid robot, dubbed Lightning, has reportedly surpassed Usain Bolt’s 100-metre world record during a preparatory test for the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
Lightning reached a top speed of 14.5 metres per second during the test, outperforming the pace required to beat Bolt’s 9.58-second world record, set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
China has been increasingly promoting humanoid robots as a strategic emerging industry, with companies and policymakers focusing on the use of artificial intelligence and advanced hardware in manufacturing, logistics and consumer applications.
Lightning also made headlines in April after winning the 21-kilometre Beijing half marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, a time faster than the world-record pace for elite male human runners.
The robot was 169 centimetres tall with 95-centimetre legs during the half marathon. Researchers have since extended its leg length by 10 centimetres to 1.05 metres ahead of the World Humanoid Robot Games, according to China Central Television.
