In a groundbreaking display of technological prowess, a Chinese robotic dog named Black Panther 2.0 has sprinted into the record books, achieving a speed of 10.3 meters per second during the World Robot Competition hosted by China Media Group. This performance matches the peak velocity of Olympic champion Usain Bolt, whose 100-meter world record translates to 10.44 meters per second.
The four-legged machine, developed jointly by Zhejiang University's humanoid innovation institute and Hangzhou-based startup Mirror Me, surpassed the previous quadruped robot speed record held by Boston Dynamics' WildCat. Weighing 38 kilograms and standing 0.63 meters tall, Black Panther 2.0 demonstrated remarkable agility with a stride frequency of five times per second.
Engineers enhanced the robot's capabilities by integrating its carbon fiber lower legs, significantly improving structural strength. While still slower than land animals like cheetahs, the advancement opens doors for applications in disaster relief and logistics, such as navigating collapsed buildings during earthquakes.
The competition also featured other innovations, including the XT70 robot dog showcasing emergency response skills. As China continues to lead in robotics development, such breakthroughs highlight the growing synergy between academic research and private-sector innovation in advancing automation technologies.
