The recent development from China is a humanoid robot called Lightning, which ran 100 metres in 9.32 seconds. This time is better than the men's 100 metres world record held by Usain Bolt from Jamaica.
Lightning made this record during a race associated with the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing.
Usain Bolt holds the men's 100 metres world record in 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
Chinese Robot Records 9.32 Seconds
Based on reports from Chinese state-run media outlets, Lightning completed the 100-meter run in 9.32 seconds during one of the tests it had to undertake. Lightning reportedly managed to clock in at a maximum of 14.5 meters per second.
This performance is quicker by 0.26 seconds than Bolt's record. However, it is important to note that the above figures cannot be compared directly. This is because Bolt set the record as a human athlete while the former was a robot test performance.
Who Developed the Lightning Robot?
The lighting robot is made by Honor, a Chinese firm that produces phones. It brings to light the growing trend in China towards humanoids and robots. There is significant investment by Chinese firms and scientists in building robots that can run and walk and execute tasks which would otherwise be executed through human motions.
This technology may in future find many applications other than exhibitions in sporting activities.
Robot Also Completed a Half Marathon
However, lightning has gained further fame from yet another brilliant running feat. In April, it is said that this robot completed the Beijing half marathon in 21 kilometers taking about 50 minutes and 26 seconds.
This was a very fast time for a robot created to walk just like a human being. The scientists have been developing the robot to make it faster.
The robot measured approximately 169 cm tall, with its legs measuring approximately 95 cm at the time when it completed the half marathon.
Afterwards, scientists extended the height of its legs to 1.05 meters.
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Why Are Humanoid Robots Becoming So Important?
Humanoids have become one of the areas that attract more and more scientists throughout the world.
Businesses are developing devices that will be able to move and work in an environment intended for humans and do some tasks in plants, stores, houses, and other workplaces.
Robotics and artificial intelligence are seen as significant areas for the country's economic development in the future in China.
Advancements in better batteries, motors, sensors, artificial intelligence, and computing technologies help create robots that move faster and execute more complex operations.
Can a Robot Really Beat Usain Bolt?
As far as technical data is concerned, the test time recorded for the Lightning is faster than Bolt's 9.58 seconds. However, it would be a bit misleading to describe this robot as the new human 100 metres world-record holder.
The reason is that Usain Bolt's record is associated with human sports and has been established according to all the rules of this particular type of athletic competition. In turn, the humanoid robot works under entirely different circumstances and has no right to compete in human sports officially.
What Could Happen Next?
The creation of faster humanoid robots might result in new innovations in robotics. Provided that engineers succeed in creating robots that can operate effectively and maintain balance and control, the same technology might be later used in various applications such as rescue operations, industries, transportation, etc.
At this point, the record set by Lightning of running 9.32 seconds can only be considered as evidence of rapid development in robotics. In addition, the performance has made a rather curious contrast between the achievements of humans and modern machines proving how fast robotics is developing.
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