18/08/2026
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18/08/2026
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HANGZHOU, Aug 18: Chinese robotics company Unitree has unveiled a humanoid robot prototype it says can sprint faster than any recorded human and leap 2 meters (6.6 feet) from a standing position.
The machine, dubbed "Superman," reached a top speed of 12.66 meters per second — roughly 28.3 miles per hour or 45.6 kilometers per hour — according to a company statement released Monday. That pace exceeds the fastest human sprint ever recorded, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's peak speed of approximately 27.8 mph during his 2009 world record 100-meter dash.
The robot's legs measure 0.85 meters (2.8 feet), Unitree said, adding that the prototype was developed in just over three months and that its performance could improve further.
China’s Robotics Race
The demonstration comes as Chinese companies intensify efforts to develop humanoid robots capable of faster and more complex movements. Beijing has identified robotics as a strategic industry, with firms competing for both domestic and international markets.
Earlier this month, Unitree announced it had produced approximately 18,000 bipedal humanoid robots, signaling its push toward mass production.
Company Background
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Hangzhou, Unitree has grown into a major global manufacturer of quadrupedal and humanoid autonomous robots. The company gained international attention for its affordable robot dogs and increasingly capable humanoid models.
IPO on the Horizon
The unveiling comes just days before Unitree's scheduled initial public offering on Wednesday on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's tech-focused STAR Market — a debut likely to draw heightened investor interest following the "Superman" announcement.
