Humanoid Robot Claims Faster 100-Meter Time Than Usain Bolt at Beijing Games

A humanoid robot has posted a faster 100-meter time than Usain Bolt’s world record — at least in a competition designed specifically for robots.

The feat happened during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, where a robot named “Lightning” completed the 100-meter dash in 9.39 seconds.

That time is faster than the 9.58-second world record set by Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt in 2009.

But the robot’s victory came with a dramatic finish.

Lightning and another robot appeared to be moving so quickly that they crashed into a mat just beyond the finish line. Both were carried off the track on stretchers following the wipeout.

The five-day event is showcasing more than 2,000 humanoid robots competing across 51 events.

The competition includes more than 1,000 individual contests featuring sports such as running, table tennis and soccer.

While the robot’s time may not count as an official human world record, the event is offering a glimpse into how quickly humanoid technology is advancing.