Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt's 100-meter record at World Robot Games in Beijing
A Chinese robot named Tiangong Ultra, developed by Honor, reportedly broke Usain Bolt's 100-meter record at the World Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The humanoid robot, which is red and headless, completed the sprint in 9.39 seconds, surpassing Bolt's 2009 record of 9.58 seconds. This achievement was highlighted by Chinese state media, emphasizing Beijing's advancements in robotics. The World Robot Games featured dozens of faceless humanoids and their human operators competing in various events, including athletics, boxing, football, and martial arts. On Sunday, Tiangong Ultra also shattered the world record for the 400 meters by nearly five seconds, finishing in 38.15 seconds. While some robots demonstrated innovative running techniques, others struggled to start or collapsed during events. Spectators, like 72-year-old Hou Yali, expressed a desire to see robots compete against human athletes in the future, noting that current competitions primarily test speed rather than intelligence or practical applications like household tasks.
