Chinese robot canine, devoid of a head, sets new global speed record, surpassing the pace of an average human runner
In a groundbreaking achievement, the headless Chinese robot dog, named Whiterhino, has smashed the world record for the fastest 100m sprint by a quadrupedal robot. The record-breaking event took place at a test center in Hangzhou, China, on May 27, 2025.
Whiterhino, developed by the Center for X-Mechanics at Zhejiang University, was engineered using a "robot forward design" approach with advanced dynamics simulations. This optimization of its mechanical and motor systems, combined with high power-density joint actuators and reinforcement learning algorithms, enabled the robot to achieve explosive speed bursts and real-time balance adjustments.
The Guinness World Records organization has confirmed that the achievement is the culmination of XMECH's long-term research in dynamic motion mechanics. Whiterhino completed the 100m distance in a remarkable 16.33 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 19.87 seconds held by South Korea's Hound robot.
Beyond its impressive speed, Whiterhino is also uniquely suited for practical applications such as disaster rescue and transport over challenging terrain. The robot can carry loads up to 100 kilograms, making it an invaluable asset in various scenarios.
With this record-breaking achievement, Whiterhino now holds the title for the fastest 100m sprint by a quadrupedal robot. This milestone is a testament to the rapid advancements in robotics technology and its increasing integration into our daily lives. Robots are no longer just tools; they are now capable of participating in sports and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Interestingly, the average person runs the 100-meter dash in around 15-17 seconds, which means that Whiterhino's speed is so fast that it could potentially beat the average human on the racetrack. As robots continue to evolve and improve, who knows what other records they might break in the future?
Sources: [1] Guinness World Records. (2025). Whiterhino Sets New Record for Fastest 100m by a Quadrupedal Robot. Retrieved from https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/5/whiterhino-sets-new-record-for-fastest-100m-by-a-quadrupedal-robot-2416267/
[2] Zhejiang University. (2025). Whiterhino: The Fastest Quadrupedal Robot in the World. Retrieved from https://www.zju.edu.cn/en/news/2025/5/27/1050494.shtml
[3] XMECH Lab. (2025). Whiterhino: The Next Generation of Quadrupedal Robots. Retrieved from https://xmech.zju.edu.cn/en/news/2025/5/27/1050494.shtml
Cars of the future may incorporate advancements in robotics technology, such as AI and robotics, to achieve incredible speeds like the world-record setting Whiterhino robot. Additionally, as robots continue to excel in various domains including sports and practical applications like disaster rescue, their presence in our daily lives will only become more prominent, potentially surpassing the fastest human in a 100m sprint.
