On August 22, 2026, a humanoid robot broke Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint record during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. The robot, created by the Beijing company X-Humanoid, completed the 109-yard dash in 9.39 seconds. This achievement surpassed Bolt’s 2009 record of 9.58 seconds.

In a dramatic end to the race, the robots collided with cushions placed at the finish line and fell to the ground to halt their speed. Video footage highlighted the need for stretcher assistance afterwards. The 100-meter race was a part of the opening ceremony of the games.

Another X-Humanoid robot excelled in the high jump, reaching 2.88 meters. This feat exceeded the 1993 human record of 2.45 meters held by Cuba’s Javier Sotomayor.

Not all robots experienced success. Some faced difficulties, stumbling and breaking during competitions, with a few even catching fire.

The World Humanoid Robot Games, akin to an Olympics for robots, attracted over 2,000 participants. The event, in its second year, aims to highlight China’s advancements in robot technology. Competitions include running, table tennis, and soccer.

During the opening ceremony, a coordinated display saw hundreds of humanoid robots marching in synchronization. Organizers emphasized that Chinese robots achieved new human world records during the event.

Meanwhile, last month the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a ban on imports of foreign-made humanoid robots, citing national security concerns. This decision primarily impacted China. The Pentagon added China’s Unitree to its list of companies suspected of military ties. China refuted these claims.

Currently, China leads the global production of humanoid robots. Manufacturers report thousands of orders from government and private sectors. Despite this, experts caution that the technology is mainly used for demos and still requires development before it can be widely used in daily applications.