In a groundbreaking achievement, a Chinese robotic dog named Black Panther 2.0 has reached a sprinting speed of 10.3 meters per second, rivaling the pace of world-renowned sprinter Usain Bolt. This feat marks a significant milestone in robotics, as the four-legged robot outpaces most humans and sets a new world record for machine dogs.
The record was set during a televised event on Sunday at the World Robot Competition hosted by China Media Group. Black Panther 2.0 shattered the previous speed record held by Boston Dynamics’ WildCat, showcasing China’s advancements in robotic technology.
Weighing 38 kilograms and standing 0.63 meters tall, Black Panther 2.0 achieved this impressive speed on a treadmill within 10 seconds, exceeding 10 meters per second. For context, Usain Bolt’s 100-meter world record time of 9.58 seconds translates to an average speed of 10.44 meters per second.
Unveiled in January, Black Panther 2.0 boasts a peak stride frequency of five times per second, placing it among the world’s fastest quadruped robots. The robot was developed through a collaboration between an innovation institute at Zhejiang University and the Hangzhou-based startup Mirror Me.
Recent upgrades to Black Panther 2.0 include the integration of three carbon fiber lower legs, boosting its overall strength and performance. While it now outpaces most human sprinters, it still trails behind some of nature’s fastest land animals like cheetahs and ostriches.
The potential applications for Black Panther 2.0 extend beyond speed records. The robot could play a crucial role in disaster relief and logistics, such as swiftly navigating through earthquake debris to assist in search and rescue operations.
The World Robot Competition also featured other highlights, including the robot dog XT70 demonstrating real-world rescue and emergency response capabilities. These advancements signal a promising future for robotics in addressing global challenges.
