Chinese Robot That Broke Bolt's Record Failed to Reach Speed
In China, a humanoid robot ran 100 meters in 9,32 seconds, surpassing Bolt's record. However, when it could not achieve speed in the final, it sparked sparks and was lifted on a stretcher.
The World Human‑Robot Games held in Beijing, China’s capital, showcased the robots’ athletic performances and delivered striking images. Between August 22 and 26, the event featured 2,056 robots built by 666 teams from 16 countries competing in 51 different categories.
9.32‑Second Time from Lightning
In a test run conducted before the competitions, the humanoid robot named “Lightning,” developed by Chinese technology company Honor, completed 100 metres in 9.32 seconds. During the test, the robot reached a top speed of 14.5 metres per second. That time was 0.26 seconds faster than Jamaican athletics legend Usain Bolt’s 9.58‑second world record for the men’s 100 metres set at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Test Time Is Not an Official Record
However, Lightning’s 9.32‑second performance is not officially recognised as a human athletics world record. The time was achieved during a preparatory test held before the World Human‑Robot Games.
9.39‑Second Time in Official Race
In the official 100‑meter race of the event, another robot that broke the record emerged. Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong Ultra completed the 100 meters in 9.39 seconds in the elimination race. The robot won its series by leaving Lightning behind during the race. Lightning’s official time in the race was 9.47 seconds. Both times were faster than Usain Bolt’s 9.58‑second human world record.
Bolt’s 9.58‑Second Record
Usain Bolt broke the world record by running 100 meters in 9.58 seconds at the World Athletics Championships held in Berlin on 16 August 2009. The Jamaican athlete’s time remains the official men's 100‑meter world record in human athletics. The times achieved by robots, however, demonstrate the performance of humanoid robots in race categories.
Robots Didn’t Stop After the Record
In races, not only high speeds but also the robots’ difficulties in controlling their speed came to the fore. Some humanoid robots were seen failing to slow down sufficiently after the 100‑meter run and colliding with the safety barriers at the end of the track. Some robots were seen falling to the ground after the collision.
Control Issue at the Finish Line
The ability of robots to reach high speeds does not mean they can control their movements with the same precision. In race footage, some machines were seen struggling to change direction or reduce speed after the finish line. This situation revealed that humanoid robots need not only speed and power output improved, but also balance and motion control.
Significant Difference Compared to Last Year
The robots' 100‑meter performance improved markedly compared to the times recorded in the organization's first year. In 2025, Tiangong Ultra finished the same distance in 21.50 seconds, taking first place. The 9.39‑second time in 2026, however, demonstrated the scale of technological progress achieved in a single year.
Lightning Also Drew Attention Earlier
Lightning's performance is not limited to 100 meters. The robot won the competition by completing the 21‑kilometer humanoid robot half‑marathon held in Beijing in April 2026 in 50 minutes 26 seconds. This performance corresponds to a speed exceeding even the pace of the elite men's half‑marathon world record.
The Robot's Design Was Changed
To boost Lightning's speed, its physical structure was also altered before the races. The robot's legs, which measured 95 centimeters in the half‑marathon, were increased to 1.05 meters before the 100‑meter test. The robot stands 1.69 meters tall and can reach a top speed of 14.5 meters per second during the test.
More than 2,000 robots compete
The World Human‑Robot Games in Beijing are not limited to athletics events. The competition features 51 categories, including running, football, table tennis, dance, martial arts, and various industrial tasks. While 666 teams from 16 countries entered the contests, the total number of robots reached 2,056.
China showcases robot technology
The event stands out as one of the key occasions where China displays the rapid technological advances in its burgeoning humanoid‑robot sector. The scope of the competitions was broadened to test not only the robots' athletic performance but also their ability to perform real‑world tasks.
Speed exists, control issues persist
While the fact that robots are achieving times that surpass one of the most important records of human athletics draws attention, accidents that occurred during the race also revealed the current limits of the technology. Running in under 9 seconds, as well as being able to safely exit from this speed, are among the areas that humanoid robots need to develop.
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