23.08.2026 12:10
The 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing, China's capital, featured a race that the tech world will be talking about for a long time. The Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, completed the 100-meter preliminary race in 9.39 seconds. The robot's time was 0.19 seconds faster than Usain Bolt's 9.58 seconds, which he set in 2009 and which still stands as the men's 100-meter world record.
The performance of the Chinese robot Tiangong Ultra on the 100-meter track showcased the level reached by humanoid robot technology. At the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games, which began in Beijing on August 22, the robot took to the track and completed the 100 meters in just 9.39 seconds, achieving a time better than the fastest record in human athletics history.
RAN FASTER THAN USAIN BOLT'S 9.58-SECOND RECORD
Despite lagging behind its rival in the first part of the race, Tiangong Ultra accelerated in the final meters and crossed the finish line in 9.39 seconds. Jamaican legendary sprinter Usain Bolt ran the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Thus, Tiangong Ultra's time was 0.19 seconds faster than Bolt's performance. In the race, the robot named Lightning, developed by Honor, also achieved a time of 9.47 seconds, remaining under Bolt's record.
OVER 2,000 ROBOTS GATHERED IN BEIJING
The 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games are being held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing. The event features 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries. Over the five-day event, competitions are held in a total of 51 different categories. In addition to sports competitions, the program includes scenario-based activities that measure robots' abilities in real-life conditions.
This year's event plans a total of 1,301 competitions, with 30 of the 51 events consisting of sports races and 21 based on real-world scenarios.