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Chinese robot runs 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt's world record

The Chinese humanoid robot 'Lightning' has surpassed Usain Bolt's 100-meter sprint record with a time of 9.32 seconds.

22 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Chinese robot runs 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt's world record — Archive photoPhoto: Nick J Webb · Flickr · BY

The Chinese humanoid robot 'Lightning' has completed the 100 meters in a record time of 9.32 seconds, faster than the human world record of Usain Bolt, which stands at 9.58 seconds. This was reported by the Chinese state broadcaster.

'Lightning's' record was set during a test event in preparation for the second Humanoid Robot Games, which begin on Saturday. During the sprint, the robot reached a peak speed of 14.5 meters per second.

The robot's performance is remarkable, especially considering that humanoid robots struggled to complete a race just a year ago. This indicates significant advancements in the technology surrounding humanoid robots.

The robot was developed by the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor, and the time of 9.32 seconds represents a difference of 26 hundredths of a second from the previous record, which was set by Bolt in 2009 during the World Championships in Berlin.

The mention of the robot's achievement has already drawn public attention, especially as it poses a direct competition for human athletes in this field. The Humanoid Robot Games are set to provide a platform for further demonstrations of such robots' capabilities.

The journalism surrounding this event is highlighted by various international reports that have covered this record-breaking event, including reports from The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and other news outlets.

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