Move over, Usain Bolt! A four-legged robot from Zhejiang University just sprinted into the history books, clocking a 100-meter dash in 16.33 seconds – faster than most humans and shattering the previous bot record by over 3 seconds. 🚀
Dubbed White Rhino, this mechanical marvel outran South Korea’s Hound robot (which held the 2019 record at 19.87 seconds) in a test run in Hangzhou. While it’s still no match for Bolt’s lightning 9.58-second human record, engineers say this breakthrough is less about speed and more about revolutionizing robotics design.
💡 "Think of it like building a race car from scratch instead of upgrading an old engine," explains Professor Wang Hongtao, who led the project. The team used AI-powered simulations to optimize every joint and motor, creating what they call a "racing-grade muscular system" for robots. The result? A 100kg-capable machine that can sprint and carry heavy loads across rough terrain.
Future plans? From disaster rescue missions to delivering supplies in mountains, White Rhino’s tech could be a game-changer. 🌏🔧 "This isn’t just about breaking records – it’s about saving lives," says team member Dr. Cheng Shaowen.
Developed by Zhejiang University’s top engineering minds, White Rhino proves China’s robotics sector is sprinting ahead. Who’s ready for the Robot Olympics? 🏅🤖
