A Chinese humanoid robot sets a new 100-meter sprint record at Beijing Games

A Chinese Humanoid robot sets a new 100-meter sprint record at Beijing Games 1 of 6 | The previous robot record of 9.39 seconds had been set just three days earlier, on Saturday. For comparison, the men’s 100-meter world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009. (AP video by Brog Wong and Wu Jia) 2 of 6 | Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 3 of 6 | Official extinguish the fire to a Humanoid robot after hitting the barrier at the end of the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 4 of 6 | Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 5 of 6 | A Humanoid robot competes in the breakdance during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 6 of 6 | Humanoid robots compete in the tug of war during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 1 of 6 The previous robot record of 9.39 seconds had been set just three days earlier, on Saturday. For comparison, the men’s 100-meter world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009. (AP video by Brog Wong and Wu Jia) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 6 | Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 2 of 6 Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 6 | Official extinguish the fire to a Humanoid robot after hitting the barrier at the end of the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 3 of 6 Official extinguish the fire to a Humanoid robot after hitting the barrier at the end of the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 6 | Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 4 of 6 Humanoid robots are carried off the track after competing in the 100m race during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 6 | A Humanoid robot competes in the breakdance during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 5 of 6 A Humanoid robot competes in the breakdance during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 6 | Humanoid robots compete in the tug of war during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) 6 of 6 Humanoid robots compete in the tug of war during the World Humanoid robot Games in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Beijing (AP) — A Chinese Humanoid robot set a new 100-meter sprint record of 8.86 seconds in Beijing on Tuesday, beating its robot competitors — and the fastest recorded human time.The race was part of China’s World Humanoid robot Games, an Olympic-style competition now in its second year in Beijing. The event is also a showcase for China’s rapid advances in robotics amid an intensifying technology rivalry with the U.S.The previous robot record of 9.39 seconds had been set just three days earlier, on Saturday.For comparison, the men’s 100-meter world record is 9.58 seconds, set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009.The record-breaking robot fell after crossing the finish line and crashing into a padded barrier, with sparks flying from its waist. The Games features over 1,300 competitions include more than 2,000 robots in 51 events like running, long jump and table tennis, as well as ballroom dancing. Unlike the traditional Olympics, the robots also compete in teams in real-world scenarios, including household tasks, hotel services and emergency response.“‘Housekeeper’ and ‘caregiver’ robots are still in the pilot and validation phase,” China’s official newspaper People’s Daily said on Monday, “(but) challenges are precisely where the focus of development lies … China’s robotics industry is evolving toward higher quality and innovation.”