Un robot chinois dépasse le record du monde du 100 mètres d'Usain Bolt

A Chinese robot named Tiangong Ultra has set a new world record in the 100-meter dash, surpassing the legendary speed of Usain Bolt. During a preliminary race held ahead of the World Robot Games in Beijing, Tiangong Ultra completed the distance in just 9.39 seconds, breaking the previous human record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009. The achievement took place during the opening ceremony of the second edition of the World Humanoid Robotics Games, which brought together teams from around the globe to showcase advancements in robotic technology. The competition, held at the National Speed Skating Stadium in Beijing, featured over 666 teams and more than 2,056 machines, including 25 international entries. The games spanned multiple days, with 51 events and over 1,301 competitive sessions planned. Among these, the 100-meter sprint was one of the highlights, drawing attention due to its historical significance and the challenge posed by replicating human-like athletic performance in robotics. Tiangong Ultra, developed by the Tianzhuo team, demonstrated remarkable precision and power, finishing the race with a lead of several body lengths over its closest competitor, Shandian, another Chinese robot from the Honor Technology company. Shandian recorded a time of 9.47 seconds, placing it second in the heat, while the third-place finisher, a robot from Unitree, clocked 12.41 seconds. These results underscored the rapid progress being made in the field of humanoid robotics, particularly in areas such as speed, agility, and endurance. The success of Tiangong Ultra came after a series of notable achievements by robots in Beijing. Earlier this year, robots had already surpassed human athletes in the marathon category, with Shandian completing the half-marathon in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, beating the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds. This trend reflects broader technological advancements aimed at creating machines capable of performing complex physical tasks with increasing efficiency and accuracy. Behind Tiangong Ultra’s breakthrough lies a combination of advanced engineering and innovative design. The robot's lightweight frame, constructed primarily of titanium, allows for high-speed movement while maintaining structural integrity. Its legs, designed with multiple joints and specialized mechanisms, enable powerful strides that mimic the biomechanics of elite human sprinters. Additionally, the robot’s aerodynamic profile minimizes air resistance, allowing it to maintain higher speeds over shorter distances compared to traditional human runners. The implications of this achievement extend beyond sports. Researchers believe that humanoid robots optimized for speed could play crucial roles in emergency response scenarios, search-and-rescue operations, and other high-stakes environments where quick action is essential. The ability to replicate human motion with greater efficiency and less energy expenditure represents a significant step forward in the development of practical robotic applications. As the World Humanoid Robotics Games continue, further innovations are expected. With more than 2,000 machines competing across a wide range of disciplines, from athletics to martial arts, the event serves as both a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technology and a testing ground for future developments in robotics. The success of Tiangong Ultra marks a milestone in the ongoing quest to bridge the gap between human and machine capabilities.