Chinese humanoid robots could soon beat the fastest human ever: Report

Chinese humanoid robots are rapidly approaching the ability to surpass the fastest human sprinters, including Olympic champion Usain Bolt. Wang Xingxing, founder of Unitree Robotics, highlighted that advancements in mechanical design, control systems, and AI coordination are enabling humanoid robots to narrow the gap in sprinting speeds. Notably, a humanoid robot named “Bolt,” developed by Zhejiang University and JingShi Technology, has reached peak speeds of 10 meters per second—close to Usain Bolt’s world-record average speed of approximately 10.44 meters per second. Wang predicts that by mid-year, humanoid robots, especially in China, could run 100 meters in under 10 seconds, marking a significant milestone in embodied AI and robotic athletic performance. However, achieving high-speed bipedal running in humanoid robots remains a complex engineering challenge involving balance, coordination, energy efficiency, and real-time control. Unlike wheeled or quadruped robots, humanoids must maintain stability through precise synchronization of