Usain Bolt’s 100m speed record of 9.58 seconds, set in Berlin 17 years ago, was broken last week in Beijing at the World Humanoid Robot Games.

A headless machine ran 190 milliseconds faster than Bolt. Then it crashed into a padded wall at the end of the track.

Did you see the Chinese showcase of robotic prowess? Packed arenas watched robot dancers, karate robots sparring badly, soccer players tentatively passing the ball. It was a flamboyant demonstration of China’s ambition to become world leaders at robotics. (Is there a technological field that China does not aspire to dominate?)

About 20 years ago, I travelled to Tokyo to film a science show. With LED billboards and hi-tech gadgetry at every corner, it felt like Japan was five or ten years in the future.

I had the opportunity to meet the most famous humanoid robot at the time - Asimo. All white, 4ft 3in, it was a creation of Honda and represented decades of robotics research.

Back then it was an impressive feat to just keep a robot upright on two legs. Asimo was able to take a penalty kick, and go up and down stairs. One of his modest tricks was to push a trolley and pour a drink. but he never threatened the air steward jobs market. Mainly because he cost about $10 million.

There were many iterations of Asimo, but he was formally retired in 2022. Honda said they would use aspects of his various robotic elements........

© Evening Echo