A Chinese humanoid robot has reportedly completed the 100-metre sprint in 9.32 seconds, recording a time faster than Usain Bolt’s long-standing human world record of 9.58 seconds.
The robot, known as Lightning, achieved the reported time during a preparatory test ahead of the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, highlighting the rapid progress of China’s humanoid robotics industry.
Lightning Hits 9.32 Seconds in 100m Test
According to reports from China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Lightning reached a peak speed of approximately 14.5 metres per second during the run.
Its reported 9.32-second time is significantly faster than the 9.58 seconds recorded by Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin, a mark that remains the official men’s 100m world record.
The comparison, however, comes with an important distinction: Lightning’s performance was achieved by a machine under conditions that are completely different from those governing human athletics competitions.
Robot Has Already Shown Impressive Long-Distance Endurance
Lightning’s reported sprint performance is not its first major running achievement.
In April, the humanoid robot reportedly won a 21-kilometre half-marathon in Beijing, completing the distance in 50 minutes and 26 seconds.
That performance was also remarkable for a machine of its kind, demonstrating that the robot is being developed not only for short bursts of speed but also for sustained movement over longer distances.
Engineers Modified Lightning’s Legs for Better Performance
Lightning reportedly stands around 1.69 metres tall, with its original legs measuring about 95 centimetres.
Researchers later extended its legs by approximately 10 centimetres, bringing them to around 1.05 metres, ahead of the humanoid robot games.
The modification appears to be part of wider efforts to improve the robot’s running efficiency and performance as Chinese developers continue pushing humanoid machines to become faster and more capable.
Why Lightning’s Record Does Not Replace Usain Bolt’s World Record
Despite beating Bolt’s 9.58-second time, Lightning has not broken the official human 100m world record.
Human athletics records are governed by strict competition and equipment rules established for athletes. A humanoid robot operates under entirely different conditions, meaning its 9.32-second performance cannot be added to the official athletics record books.
Instead, the achievement is better viewed as a demonstration of what modern robotics technology is increasingly capable of achieving.
China Is Betting Big on Humanoid Robots
The development comes as China continues to invest heavily in humanoid robotics and other forms of advanced automation.
Humanoid robots are increasingly being developed for potential applications in manufacturing, logistics, services and consumer environments, with companies looking to make the machines more capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human workers.
Lightning’s performance adds another striking example of how quickly the technology is advancing.
While a robot running faster than the world’s greatest sprinter may sound like science fiction, the reported 9.32-second run shows just how far humanoid robotics has progressed and how much further the technology could go.
