Robots Outpace Humans at the World Humanoid Robot Games

On August 22, 2026, in Beijing, China, a humanoid robot set a new benchmark by surpassing Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint record during the World Humanoid Robot Games. Developed by Beijing-based X-Humanoid, the robot completed the 109-yard race in 9.39 seconds. This performance eclipsed Bolt’s 2009 record of 9.58 seconds.

At the finish line, robots halted by crashing into a cushion and collapsing, as seen in event footage. They were then removed on stretchers. The event kicked off with these races during the World Humanoid Robot Games’ opening ceremony.

X-Humanoid delivered another feat. A robot surpassed the human standing high jump record, reaching 2.88 meters, beating Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor’s 1993 record of 2.45 meters. Despite some robots falling and encountering mechanical issues—some even catching fire—the event marked significant achievements.

The games feature over 2,000 robotic participants. It is the second year of this Olympic-like competition, showcasing China’s advancements in robotics with events in sports such as running and table tennis. Spectator robots displayed coordinated formations during the opening ceremony, demonstrating technical precision.

Recently, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission restricted imports of new foreign humanoid robots for national security reasons, focusing on China. The Pentagon also listed Unitree—a prominent Chinese humanoid robot maker—as linked to the Chinese military. China dismissed these claims.

China leads in humanoid robot production, fulfilling thousands of orders from governmental and private sectors. Despite rapid advancements, experts believe widespread deployment of such technology remains premature, mostly limited to demonstrations and performances.