Science & Technology

'Superman' robot from China is able to run faster than Usain Bolt

By T.K. Randall
August 19, 2026

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) When it comes to modern robotics, the likes of Tesla and Boston Dynamics might get most of the headlines (at least in the West), but it is perhaps China's Unitree robotics that we need to be keeping the closest eye on.

In recent years, the firm has produced a number of increasingly impressive and sophisticated humanoid robots, bringing the idea of a world in which robots are a major part of our daily lives one step closer to becoming a reality.

Its latest invention, which was announced prior to the firm's stock market debut, has been dubbed 'Superman' due to its ability to perform super-human feats.In addition to being able to jump vertically two meters in the air, the robot can also run at a ridiculous speed that would see it beat even Olympic champion Usain Bolt over a short distance.

Its top speed was clocked at 12.66 metres per second.

As things stand, Unitree's robots are still a work in progress, but from what we've seen so far, Tesla may have its work cut out for it if it hopes to stay ahead of what its Chinese rival is bringing to the table.


Source: Reuters

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