Watch moment humanoid robot ‘Lightning’ breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m world record at Beijing games

THIS is the stunning moment a humanoid robot named “Lightning” breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m world record at a Beijing competition. Shocking footage showed the droid dashing past the finishing line in just 9.32 seconds – surpassing the Jamaican legend’s 2009 world record. Jaw-dropping footage showed the bot dashing down the race track in record-breaking speed Usain Bolt’s 100m record was beaten by a robot Credit: EPA The bot – which reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres per second during ‌a test event at the World Humanoid Robot Games – was developed by Honor, a Chinese smartphone maker. It smashed Olympic gold medallist Bolt’s record of 100m in 9.58 seconds, previously set in Berlin, 2009. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! The same robot already broke the men’s half-marathon world record earlier this year – completing the race in just 50 minutes and 26 seconds. “Lightning” set the new sprint record of 9.32 seconds at a test event, but finished second to another robot in the 100m final in Beijing on Saturday. In the astonishing footage, the speedy bot can be seen making a beeline for the finish line. It appears to sprint hastily while maintaining balance, before smashing into a soft wall after crossing the line. The robot used to stand 169cm tall and ​had ​95cm-long legs. But reports say the tech-fuelled runner had since had its legs lengthened by 10cm ahead of the latest competition. Most read in Tech Lightning, pictured in red, broke Usain Bolt’s 100m record Credit: Reuters Bolt’s 100m record was 9.58 seconds Credit: EPA Honor sparked online frenzy earlier this year after creating an AI phone with a human-like personality that sings, dances and holds authentic chats with people. The World Humanoid Robot Games are showcasing the rising prominence of robo-athletes and droids as part of China’s economy. Other events at the games, which kicked off on Saturday, include boxing, football, and household task competitions such as folding laundry. More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the five-day event, now in its second year. Lightning‘s record-breaking sprint is the latest Chinese humanoid to make headlines. In February, footage showed backflipping Chinese robots with slick kung fu moves stunning audiences in a stage debut showcasing their power and athleticism. Two dozen nimble humanoids performed martial arts, parkour and breakdancing as part of jaw-dropping Lunar New Year celebrations broadcast on Chinese state television. The synchronised robot army performed alongside children in an unbelievable display of Beijing’s technological might. The mind-blowing performance even saw the bots wield nunchucks and swords in a routine which fused traditional martial arts with advanced robotics. 1 comment1