The terrifying prospect of a killer robot hurtling toward you at superhuman speed may be one step closer to reality. When it comes to cutting-edge robotics, companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics tend to dominate the headlines, particularly in the West.
But China’s Unitree Robotics may be the company worth watching most closely. In recent years, Unitree has developed a growing lineup of increasingly advanced humanoid robots, bringing the once-futuristic idea of robots becoming a regular part of everyday life closer to reality.
Now, the company has unveiled its latest creation, dubbed “Superman” for its ability to perform feats far beyond human capabilities. The robot can reportedly leap vertically two meters into the air and run at an astonishing speed fast enough to outpace Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt over a short distance.
Its top speed has been recorded at 12.66 meters per second, or roughly 28.3 mph (45.6 km/h).
Unitree’s robots are still very much a work in progress, but if its latest developments are anything to go by, Tesla could have a serious challenge on its hands as its Chinese rival continues pushing the boundaries of humanoid robotics.
Joyce E
This scares me to death.
Steven B
Now all they need to do is teach it to say, “I’ll be back.” in an Austrian accent.
Lori H
agree with both these comments.