Chinese Robot Outruns Usain Bolt? Company Unveils Speedy Humanoid

A Chinese robotics company has unveiled a new humanoid robot that it claims can outrun Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt. The machine, named "Superman," can also jump over 6.5 feet (2 meters) vertically, according to the firm. Unitree, the company behind the robot, released a video showing the machine’s capabilities. The footage has drawn global attention as nations race to lead in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. David Muir, an American television journalist, reported on the development. He interviewed Unitree executives in May, ahead of the robot’s public debut. The "Superman" robot’s top speed was not specified in the initial release, but the company says it surpasses Bolt’s record pace. Bolt set the 100-meter world record in 2009 with a top speed of about 27.8 miles per hour. Unitree’s announcement marks the latest step in a fast-moving competition among tech firms to build machines that can match or exceed human physical abilities. Analysts say such robots could eventually be used in search-and-rescue, logistics, or industrial work. No independent verification of the robot’s speed or jump height has been published yet.