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Section: Arts
The Black Panther II, a robotic dog developed by the Chinese startup Mirror Me, has unofficially set a speed record in the 100-meter sprint. During a live broadcast on China Central Television, the robotic canine completed the distance in an impressive 13.17 seconds. This feat surpasses the previous unofficial Guinness World Record of 19.87 seconds, held by the South Korean robot Hound from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST).
The record-setting event took place on an athletics track in Wuhan, China, in front of an audience. While Mirror Me plans to apply for official recognition from Guinness World Records, they intend to focus on further research and development of the robot in the meantime. During the record run, Black Panther II reached a peak speed of 9.7 meters per second. For context, the human record is held by Usain Bolt, who completed the 100 meters in 9.58 seconds at an average speed of 10.44 meters per second, a benchmark the robotic dog has yet to reach.
The success of Black Panther II can be attributed to its lightweight design, advanced compact motors, and artificial intelligence (AI) that governs its movement. Constructed from carbon fiber, the robot weighs approximately 38 kg, allowing it to maintain high stiffness in its legs, which are also equipped with shock-absorbing spring elements. The design of the legs draws inspiration from the anatomy of jumping mice, known for their ability to reach speeds of up to 24 km/h when fleeing.
Additionally, the robotic dog features rubberized feet modeled after its biological namesake, enhancing grip and enabling better force application on the ground.
The coordination of Black Panther II's movements is managed by an AI system, allowing it to adapt its gait to various surfaces and synchronize its limbs for smoother running.
The potential of the Black Panther II as a fast-moving robotic entity was hinted at earlier in January 2025, when developers tested its capabilities on a treadmill, achieving a top speed of 10.4 m/s. However, at that time, achieving a sub-10-second 100-meter sprint seemed unlikely.
There are reports suggesting that Boston Dynamics' WildCat robot has achieved even higher speeds, reaching 8.8 m/s, although this has not been officially verified.
As technology continues to evolve, the advancements seen in robotic mobility reflect significant strides in engineering and artificial intelligence, paving the way for future innovations in robotics.
Section: Arts
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