Humanoid robots smash sprint records at Beijing robot games
At the World Robot Games, a headless robot named Tiangong Ultra ran 100 metres in 9.39 seconds and 400 metres in 38.15 seconds, outpacing the human world records.
The weekend’s World Robot Games in Beijing saw a series of astonishing performances by faceless humanoid machines, most notably a white, headless robot that ran the 100‑metre sprint in 9.39 seconds, faster than the 9.58‑second record set by Usain Bolt in 2009.
Beyond the novelty of a robot beating a legendary sprinter, the achievement signals China’s growing dominance in advanced robotics. The machines were built by a government‑backed research centre in the capital, and the results were broadcast by CCTV, underscoring state support for the sector. For investors and tech watchers, the event provides a concrete benchmark of how quickly autonomous locomotion is improving.
On Saturday, the robot, identified as Tiangong Ultra, completed the 100‑metre dash in 9.39 seconds, according to the state broadcaster. The following day the same model tackled the 400‑metre distance, crossing the line in 38.15 seconds, shaving nearly five seconds off the previous best for a machine.
During the 400‑metre heat the robot swayed its arms side‑to‑side and leaned forward dramatically, wobbling but staying upright until the finish. Spectators cheered as the machine steadied itself, while several other robots either failed to start or trudged around the track at a walking pace.
Hou, a retired Beijing resident who employs aides for daily chores, added that she hopes future robots will move beyond speed contests to tasks like cleaning and cooking. "Right now, this is just running, just a competition of speed. It's not a test of intelligence, or hiring someone to do household tasks or act as live‑in help," she explained.
The arena, normally used for Olympic speed skating, was packed with hundreds of onlookers who laughed, applauded and occasionally gasped as the machines faltered or surged forward. Children giggled when a toddler‑sized robot kicked a football over barricades, and a boxing‑ring robot collapsed into the ropes, prompting staff to lift it away.
Organisers plan to expand the competition next year, inviting more international teams and adding new disciplines such as obstacle courses and collaborative tasks. If the current pace of development continues, humanoid robots could soon transition from novelty acts to functional partners in industry and home settings.
For now, the record‑breaking runs in China have given the world a vivid glimpse of what may be possible when engineering, government backing and public spectacle converge.