A groundbreaking achievement in robotics emerged this week as Zhejiang University's humanoid robot institute unveiled Bolt, a full-sized humanoid machine capable of sprinting at 10 meters per second. The milestone, announced on Monday, sets a new global benchmark for bipedal robotic mobility and positions China at the forefront of advanced robotics research.
Standing at 175 centimeters with a human-like weight of 75 kilograms, Bolt represents a leap forward in biomimetic engineering. During a dramatic demonstration, the robot outperformed its creator, institute founder Wang Hongtao, in a treadmill challenge. While Wang eventually slowed, Bolt maintained relentless momentum until reaching its record-breaking 10 m/s peak speed—equivalent to 36 km/h.
Researchers emphasize Bolt's potential applications in emergency response, industrial automation, and assistive technologies. The development comes as global demand for agile humanoid robots surges, particularly in manufacturing and logistics sectors across Asia. Analysts suggest this breakthrough could accelerate automation trends while raising new questions about human-robot collaboration frameworks.
For investors, Bolt's achievement signals growing opportunities in China's robotics sector, which saw 18% year-on-year growth in 2025. Academics highlight the mechanical innovations enabling energy-efficient high-speed movement, particularly in joint design and balance algorithms. The development also resonates with Asian diaspora communities tracking technological advancements in their home regions.
Zhejiang University officials confirm plans to commercialize Bolt's core technologies by late 2026, with prototype testing already underway in Shanghai's smart manufacturing hubs.
