Chinese Humanoid Robot Runs 100m in 9.39 Seconds, Beats Usain Bolt’s Record
Synopsis
Tiangong Ultra clocked 9.39 seconds in a preliminary heat at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, beating Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second human world record as more than 2,000 robots from 666 teams compete.
The Chinese humanoid robot has run 100 metres in 9.39 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, which is faster compared to the official world record of 9.58 seconds set by Usain Bolt in 2009. Preliminary heats were run on August 22, the result of Tiangong was recorded.
Honour's Lightning ran the distance of 100 metres in 9.47 seconds, and was beaten by a robot at the end. According to the results published, the previous time of Lightning was 9.32 seconds in tests.
From 21.50 Seconds to 9.39
The Chinese humanoid robot Tiangong Ultra was developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center! In 2025, this robot was able to run the same distance of 100 metres in 21.50 seconds at the first World Humanoid Robot Games.
It is noteworthy that in the latest race there was not enough control at the top speed, and Tiangong Ultra and Lightning rushed into the terminal barrier at the finish.
The race of the Chinese humanoid robot is not only a sporting competition, but also extends to the broader context of development. In 2026, there will be 51 events at the humanoid robot games, including various competitions in different industries, sports, catering, and related sectors. Over forty percent of these tests are designed for robots to operate alone.
China Leads a Growing Robot Market
As investments in production and commercialization have grown, so too has China's humanoid robot industry. According to IDC's Humanoid Robotics Commercialization Trends 2026 report, the global market for humanoid robots is set to grow to more than 510,000 units by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 95%
There will be 2,056 robots from 666 teams in 16 countries competing at the Beijing games, including the United States, Germany, and Japan. It is being held in Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval from August 22 to 26, with the largest contingent of robots from China.
Meanwhile, the battle for supremacy in the humanoid robot arena is heating up in Australian and US business communities, with manufacturers looking to deploy them in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
It noted this week that they will not see widespread adoption in the near term, and robot makers are being challenged on their ability to balance productivity, costs, and reliability in performing typically human jobs.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
You Might Also Like
Liam Hemsworth’s Strategic Ventures: Investing with Purpose and Profit
YouTube’s $40.4B Ad Revenue Beats Disney, NBC, Paramount Combined
