Scientists have unveiled a new humanoid robot capable of running over 8mph (3.6m/s), setting a new record for the fastest machine. Live Science said this speed was achieved only when the robot was equipped with specialized footwear.
In a promotional event held in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China, two STAR1 robots, produced by the Robot Era Chinese company, were featured. To test the impact of footwear on speed, one robot was outfitted with sneakers, enabling it to outpace its counterpart.
The equipped STAR1, powered by high-torque motors and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, demonstrated its agility on various terrains, including grasslands and gravel, continuously maintaining its maximum speed on paved roads for 34 minutes.
The STAR1 robot is part of various manufacturers’ recent showcase of advanced robotics, including Tesla’s Optimus Gen-2 and Boston Dynamics’ latest Atlas, the AI-powered Figure 01 robot.