Unitree's 'Superman' Robot Claims Human-record Speed Ahead of Shanghai IPO
Chinese robotics firm Unitree showcased its humanoid dubbed “Superman,” saying it can sprint at 12.66 m/s and high-jump two metres, feats it claims surpass human records.
Unitree Robotics unveiled a super-humanoid robot called “Superman,” posting a video that claims the device can run at 12.66 m/s and perform a standing high jump of two metres, speeds the firm says exceed all human records, including those of sprinter Usain Bolt. Developed in a three-month period, the robot is positioned as a showcase ahead of Unitree’s debut on Shanghai’s STAR Market, where it will become mainland China’s first publicly traded general-purpose robotics company after raising over $904 million.
The rollout aligns with the World Robot Conference (August 19-23) and the second World Humanoid Robot Games starting August 22, events that highlight advances in robotics competition. Unitree previously dominated last year’s inaugural humanoid contest, winning four gold medals in sprint and relay events. However, the company has faced criticism after a handler was kicked in the groin by one of its robots and a child was slapped during a dance demo, prompting experts like Dr. Roman Yampolskiy to caution that malfunctions could pose serious risks in high-stakes applications. Unitree maintains that further performance improvements are expected in the coming months.
Why it matters
The robot’s claimed abilities could reshape athletics, robotics markets, and safety standards for emerging AI-driven machines.
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