Introducing the 'Superman' humanoid
On August 18 at 21:47, Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company, unveiled a humanoid robot nicknamed 'Superman.' The machine can perform a standing vertical jump of 2 meters and reach a top running speed of 12.66 meters per second, or roughly 45.6 km/h. That figure outpaces Usain Bolt's peak speed during his 100-meter world-record run in 2009, which was measured at 12.42 m/s.
Record-breaking specs and what's next
The Superman robot's 2-meter leap also beats the best known human jumping achievements, which stand at 1.8 meters. Its legs are 0.85 meters long. The entire project took just three months to complete, underscoring how quickly engineering teams in this field can move from concept to working hardware.
- Unitree founder Wang Xingxing said the company shipped around 5,900 humanoids in the first half of 2026, representing 31% of global deliveries in that category.
- As a result, the firm plans to go public to raise approximately $900 million.
- The developer is based in Hangzhou, one of China's key innovation centers.
Humanoid robots are drawing increasing attention from investors and manufacturers worldwide, and Unitree's rapid progress highlights how competitive this sector has become. The company's sales momentum in humanoid robots points to strong demand for advanced automation, while an IPO could give it the capital needed to expand further and potentially reshape the global robotics market.
As the field of robotics continues to advance rapidly, innovations like the Superman robot are not isolated events. For instance, the recent achievement of the Figure 03 robot climbing a ladder without human help showcases another remarkable leap in automation capabilities. These developments highlight the growing potential of humanoid robots in various applications, further emphasizing the competitive landscape within this industry.